Why Having The Right Communication Etiquette Is Important To Your Career

What Is Communication Etiquette?

Communication etiquette is using proper manners and respect in your communications with others. The same goes for digital communication, which includes emails and text messages. This article will discuss why it is important to use proper communication etiquette in the workplace.

As you’ll see, being mindful about how you communicate with coworkers can have a significant impact on your relationships with them and therefore your professional success.

Takeaways
Effective communication etiquette is crucial for career success.
Good communication etiquette enhances professional relationships and fosters a positive work environment.
Communication etiquette plays a vital role in establishing credibility and professionalism.
Practicing active listening and using polite language are key aspects of communication etiquette.
Avoiding common communication etiquette mistakes is essential for effective communication.

1. It Will Help You Build A Better Relationship With Your Manager

Being able to successfully communicate with your boss will help you become more productive and efficient in your job. This can lead to a better performance review, which may make you more likely to get a promotion.

You should view the relationship between you and your boss as a partnership. Both of you have goals, and working together will help both of you achieve them. By being open about your goals and how you want to achieve them, it will be easier for both sides to come up with a plan that works for everyone.

If there are changes that need to be made in order for you to reach your goals, from getting more training or having more resources available, talking about this openly with your manager will make it easier for them to help support these changes. It’s also important that if an agreement is made on how these changes will happen, follow through on them and talk about their progress with your manager at designated time periods so they can see what’s happening in real time.

Understanding the power of good communication etiquette is crucial to your career success. Discover the benefits of good communication etiquette in our comprehensive guide to 15 Things Good Communication Etiquette Can Do for You.

2. It Will Help You Build A Better Relationship With Your Coworkers

You’ll be able to get the most out of your career by embracing and encouraging a positive, academically-focused atmosphere with your coworkers. It’s no secret that work can be a stressful place, so everyone appreciates an office environment where employees are open to each other and ready to make the most of their time together. These tips will help you build better relationships with your colleagues, which can in turn help make your job more enjoyable:

• Be friendly. Greet people when they arrive at the office, or if you see them in the hallway or at work events. You don’t have to become best friends with everyone right away but being pleasant is a big step toward making coworkers feel welcome.

• Be respectful of other people’s time and responsibilities. If you need to talk with someone about something important, it’s OK to send an email requesting an appointment; just remember that she may not be able to accommodate your request right away. Ask yourself whether you’d want someone else intruding on your workday by dropping in unannounced for a quick chat.

3. It Will Help You Build A Better Relationship With Your Clients

Having good communication etiquette will help you build a better relationship with your clients. Remember that they are essentially the boss’s boss, so if they are happy, your boss will be happy and therefore you’ll have a greater chance of getting that promotion you’ve been working towards.

Plus, building good relationships with clients will likely lead to them offering more work to do, which not only helps out the company but also increases your chances of making money through bonuses or commissions. If you can’t remember anything else from this article, just remember to keep your communication skills in mind while interacting with clients; it might just be the difference between success and failure.

4. You Won’t Miss Important Deadlines

It’s easy to let deadlines slip by, especially when you get busy or have high-pressure responsibilities. When they do slip by, other people feel let down and lose confidence in you. They may even question your reliability. Setting the right expectations beforehand and following up with a follow-through will go a long way toward being consistent and reliable, which are two of the most desirable qualities in any professional context.

As a freelancer, mastering effective communication is essential. Learn the do’s and don’ts of communications etiquette to enhance your professional interactions. Find expert advice in our article on Communications Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts for Freelancers.

5. You’ll Learn And Grow Quicker

You’ll learn and grow quicker. If you’re constantly worried about saying the wrong thing to a colleague, you’re not going to be thinking about how you can perform your job better. But if you’re always aware of what’s OK to say at work and what’s not, then your energy is going to be focused on developing new skills and improving the ones that you have. This can only make you a more valuable employee and move your career forward.

6. You’ll Get What You Want Quicker

A few specific things you’ll do better with proper communication etiquette:

• Make a more persuasive case. A person who follows etiquette rules is better able to convince others that their point of view is valid and worth considering. Etiquette helps you convey the seriousness of whatever it is you’re discussing, and makes your listener pay closer attention to what you have to say. It also lends credibility to your argument, giving people confidence in your abilities and trust that you’re well-informed.

• Be assertive but polite. You must be able to advocate for yourself and give others feedback, often in difficult situations. Having good communication etiquette means knowing how to present criticism or make a request firmly enough so that people take them seriously, while remaining polite enough that they don’t feel offended by what’s being said.

• Ask for help when needed, and ask for rewards when due. Being confident in your abilities doesn’t mean never needing help from anyone else, it means understanding that everyone needs support sometimes and knowing how to ask for it without feeling awkward about it. It can also mean having the courage to ask for a raise or promotion if you think you’ve earned one, without fear of seeming too pushy (or not pushy enough).

7. It Can Be A Determining Factor During Hiring Process

When it comes to landing a job, communication skills are almost always at the top of employers’ wish lists. But what does this mean? It means that your overall communication etiquette is being judged, from how you conduct yourself in an interview and how you speak, to your ability to write a cover letter or email and negotiate salary (more on that later).

Hiring managers see these skills as essential for professionals at all levels because they demonstrate aptitude and professionalism. If you misspell words in an email or don’t use proper grammar on LinkedIn or in your resume, that’s going to give recruiters pause about whether you’d be the right fit for their company.

8. It Can Be A Determining Factor For Promotion

Having effective communication skills shows that you’re a team player, which is an essential quality for any manager or leader. Good communication helps you to understand the needs of your colleagues and clients so you can help them achieve their goals in alignment with the company’s overall mission. And, if you keep everyone in the loop about your projects, it will be easier for someone to step in and help if needed.

Good communication also means that you listen well and communicate clearly, which makes it easier for others to work with you. Having good rapport with your colleagues makes them more likely to want to work with you again and again and again. They’ll gladly recommend you as a teammate on projects because they know they can count on you to do your part.

Working from home requires navigating unique etiquette challenges. Boost your remote work professionalism with these 16 etiquette tips for remote workers. Check out our article: 16 Etiquette Tips for Those Who Work from Home.

9. People Will Rely On You More When Your Etiquette Is Right

With good communication etiquette in professional situations, you’ll also be more likely to succeed in the workplace. If you’re respectful of other people’s time, for example by being on time for meetings and following up promptly when required, then everyone else is going to have more respect for you.

If you follow the rules of etiquette regarding body language and eye contact, then people are likely to trust your input during important conversations. Etiquette will help people take your efforts seriously and treat your communication with care because they know that you’ll be doing the same in return.

10. A Formal Email Is Always Better Than An Informal One

A formal email is always better than an informal one. A formal email should be used for official and important communication. For example, you should use a formal email when communicating with clients, or when communicating with your boss.

The tone of an informal email is more personal and casual. You can use an informal email to communicate with your colleagues, or if you’re writing to a friend or family member that you’re close to.

11. It Increases Your Likability

You know the feeling: when someone is abrupt and rude to you, you probably don’t enjoy talking to them. If someone at work has terrible communication skills and they’re unfriendly, you’re less likely to want to interact with them. But if you behave in a friendly way, people will be more receptive to your ideas and they’ll be more open to working with you.

It’s easier for people with good communication skills to make internal connections that help the company thrive so showing that you have these skills can help your career grow in ways that may not be obvious.

When it comes down to it, being a nice person who asks how others are doing shows bosses that you care about your team members as humans and not just coworkers and this kind of behavior increases your likability, too. Being a likable person makes other people want to work with you, which can make all of your interactions far more enjoyable. Even if there are some unpleasant tasks involved in the job!

12. It Ensures A Good Workflow And Minimizes Stress In The Workplace

One of the primary reasons why good communication is important to your career is that it helps ensure a smooth workflow. In an office, there are so many moving parts and people performing different tasks, with managers overseeing the whole project. Miscommunication usually results in delays, which can seriously impact your team’s productivity and ability to deliver timely results.

This also means having less stress at work because everyone knows what they need to do, who to speak with for clarification, and how the project should progress from one step to another.

13. You’ll Avoid Embarrassing Situations

Although it sounds like good advice, I must admit that I was a little bit scared about communicating with my new boss at the office. My impression of him was that he could be rude to women, and when we first met for a work-related discussion, his tone suggested that he thought I was inferior to him. It’s not an uncommon fear in the workplace, there are just some people who will always make you feel inferior no matter what you do.

The key is making sure that your communication skills are up to par. As much as possible, try to handle any workplace situations in person or over the phone if possible. If there’s still time for it, get someone else involved on your behalf if you can (it’s helpful if they’re also excited about your new job). Making sure that everyone is comfortable and happy at work can go a long way toward helping everyone get along and achieve a good overall performance level in the workplace.

Effective communication etiquette is crucial in any workplace environment. Discover why it matters and how it can impact your career trajectory. Explore the significance of communication etiquette in our article: The Importance of Communication Etiquette in Any Workplace.

14. You’ll Have The Right Tone

Let’s say you’re in a meeting with your boss, several of your coworkers, and some people from another department. Because this is an official meeting, the tone of your conversation should be formal. It’s not the time to talk about what happened at last night’s fancy dress party.

Now imagine you’re at a work social event with some of the same people from that meeting. If you’ve just met them, it’s probably best to keep the tone of your conversation relatively formal as well. You don’t want to start talking about how much you hated their tie or wig before they know who you are.

On the other hand, if they wore something different than what they had on during that earlier meeting, feel free to ask them about it! They’ll love that you remembered their outfit from earlier and care enough about them to strike up a friendly conversation.

Finally, let’s say those same people are now hanging out on a Friday night after work at their friend’s house for drinks. In this kind of situation: anything goes! You can discuss last night’s party or anything else that comes up and have fun being yourself with these new friends in a more informal setting (as long as it doesn’t cross any boundaries).

15. You’ll Be Influenced By Your Communication Etiquette

For the most part, you can use these tips to influence others in a positive way. At work, listening to your boss is always important. The more you hear what he or she has to say and can respond with an insightful remark, the better your chances are of getting that promotion you’re dreaming about. In school, using the right communication etiquette can also help you get ahead. 

Making eye contact and saying “please” and “thank you” when speaking to teachers will help them realize how great of an employee they have on their hands. But if they don’t like the things that come out of your mouth, no amount of politeness will matter.

If a teacher doesn’t appreciate your unique sense of humor or worse yet, finds it offensive you won’t get any points from him either. So don’t fall into this trap: be sure that you take note of what’s said in class so you know what people like or dislike about it when presenting it to them later on in the process.

16. You’ll Learn How To Respond And Get A Response

With clear communication etiquette, you won’t be left wondering what your boss really means when they say “we should talk.” You’ll know exactly how to approach any request and which internal channels are the most appropriate for follow-up.

Knowing how to respond appropriately to questions from colleagues and clients also makes a big difference in whether your team meets its deadlines. Your ability to communicate effectively can even affect whether or not you remain in consideration for a promotion.

17. You Won’t Be Left Out Of Important Conversations

As a business professional, you know that communication is a crucial part of your job. If you don’t communicate, you can’t be part of the conversation. If you don’t communicate well, you could be left out. Communication etiquette is about being considerate and kind in the way you interact with others in order to help ensure that what you need to say is actually heard by those around you. 

This is especially important when it comes to workplace communication because if your message isn’t understood or appreciated by your coworkers or even worse, if they’re offended by something you say, this can set back any plans for success. Communication etiquette will help make sure that what needs to be said gets said correctly and that’s important for everyone involved in order to maintain goodwill in the office environment.

Communicating professionally online is essential for building a strong personal brand and establishing credibility. Learn how to master online communication with our guide: How to Communicate Professionally on the Internet.

Final Thoughts

To recap, the key thing to remember is that if you take care to follow good communication etiquette, you will be more clearly understood and more likely to achieve your goals. Take some time to think about how you come across, and let the knowledge gathered from this article help guide your words and actions. You don’t need a huge amount of extra time or effort just a little forethought can go a long way toward improving your communication habits.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources to explore the importance of communication etiquette:

The Importance of Good Etiquette: Discover why good etiquette plays a vital role in effective communication and how it can positively impact personal and professional relationships.

Etiquette in Communication: Learn about the significance of etiquette in communication and how it contributes to successful interactions in various professional settings.

Why Do We Need Etiquette?: Delve into the reasons behind the importance of etiquette and its role in fostering positive social connections and professional environments.

People Also Ask

What Are Some Good Communication Skills? 

To communicate effectively with others in the workplace (or anywhere else), it’s important to first understand what communication truly is. As put by George Bernard Shaw, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

You can’t assume that just because you told someone something, they understood it and you definitely shouldn’t assume that just because they said something back, they actually got your point. Part of effective communication means actively listening and checking for understanding.

How Do I Know If I’m Doing It Right?

You’ll know if you are communicating well because people will want to talk to you and work with you. If people aren’t interested in talking to you, then you should work on your communication skills.

What Are Some Examples Of Good Communication Etiquette?

Examples of good communication etiquette include being polite, listening carefully when someone else is speaking and responding appropriately, asking questions when necessary and showing interest in what others have to say.

 Why Is Communication Etiquette Important?

Communication etiquette is important because it helps you build trust and credibility with your team. It also shows that you are approachable and a good team player.

How Can I Improve My Communication Etiquette?

There are several ways to improve your communication etiquette. You can start by asking questions and listening to the answers. You can also take notes on what people say, so that you don’t forget anything important. Finally, always be courteous to other people!

What Should I Do If Someone Else Doesn’t Have Good Communication Etiquette?

If someone else has poor communication etiquette, try to help them improve it by giving them tips or showing them how things work in practice (such as how meetings work).

What Does Etiquette Have To Do With My Career?

Etiquette is about being respectful and showing others the respect you would hope to receive from them. It’s about having a sense of manners and knowing how to act in any given situation. In business, this means knowing how to present yourself and your ideas professionally—and being able to put those ideas across without offending anyone or being offensive yourself.

Why Should I Care About Etiquette If It Doesn’t Affect My Job Performance?

The truth is that etiquette affects everything from how people perceive you, which can lead to opportunities for promotions or even just getting along with your coworkers, right down to how well you do on an assignment because you’ve made sure not to offend anyone with your work product.

Etiquette is more than just knowing when not to wear white after Labor Day, it’s about being aware of what’s going on around you at all times so that no one feels offended by anything you might say or do (or not say or do).