Avoid Etiquette Mishaps

Are you always on your best behavior? This book provides tips for getting ahead by using proper manners.

REVIEWED BY KELLY QUIGLEY

The Etiquette Edge: The Unspoken Rules for Business Success by Beverly Langford (AMACOM, 2005)

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You may be an expert at selling real estate, but how professional are you when it comes to using your cell phone in public, accepting an apology from a colleague, or leaving a job? There are unspoken rules on how to conduct business gracefully, and when you break the rules it can damage your reputation. This book delves into dozens of situations you encounter during the course of business, from e-mailing to schmoozing. The 30 chapters are concise, each one ending with a list of take-away tips and an action plan that encourages you to improve your behavior. Although the advice often comes in context of a corporate office environment—which may not seem as relevant to those who don’t work in cubicles—the majority of the book pertains to anyone whose job calls for communicating effectively with other people.

Tips From the Book:

• Pick a reliable restaurant. Doing business over a meal can be a great rapport-builder or a flop—depending to some degree on which restaurant you choose. Pick a place where you know you’ll be able to hold a conversation, enjoy ample privacy, and meet everyone’s food preferences. Accessible parking is a good idea in case of bad weather. Keep a list of reliable favorites on hand so you don’t draw a blank when an impromptu invitation is necessary.
  
• Deliver bad news well. Take special thought and plan ahead for delivering bad news. Choose the right time and place and deliver the news in person, if at all possible, and in private. Explain if a change in circumstances led to the bad news, and maintain goodwill by showing empathy while shifting the focus to something more positive.
  
• Work the room with finesse. Before arriving at a social or business event, be prepared to talk to people. Have conversation topics on hand—perhaps some interesting real estate news or a little-known fact about the speaker. If it’s a buffet, arrive early and eat first so you can shake hands without balancing your plate and glass in one hand. If your aim is to impress someone there, let your date know so he or she can be an asset.