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Rudeness in the Workplace

Written by: Michelle Cubas

Article Overview: Contemporary business more resembles a paint ball exercise than a human service experience. Marketing ploys are spattered across the media in the hope of snagging our attention. However, we are in a global economy, and our social skills need remedial attention. Social skills have not been transferred to the last two generations as a group like technology has. For example, think about how many Gen X and Y’s know how to set a dining table or how to cut their meat. News flash: high-level careers have been sabotaged by just such “unnecessary” information. In the interest of “the bottom line” thinking that dominates American business, we’ve lost the most meaningful tool we have, the human connection. I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts on observations and episodes you’ve had on the topic. Thank you. PS—Put your napkin on your lap!

Rudeness in the Workplace

Rudeness in the workplace is a topic I continually address in seminars. The highest form of rudeness is the irresponsibility of not returning or responding to calls.

Do a self check here—

Here's the scoop:
1. Rudeness is an accepted behavior today thanks to pop culture. The "fine lines" of life are not respected. It’s cool to talk trash and sound illiterate.
2. It's not the persistence that's rude. It’s the way the person connects. When the “seeker” uses a variety of pen and paper beyond email (for their convenience), they'll be surprised at the positive response from the listener, not to discount the TOMA (not to be confused with a tumor) your name will have.
3. This is the bunker buster—This failure isn't about busy. It's how people are disingenuous with the pretense of interest when calling someone. When the call is only self-serving, it is evident to the listener. They remember the previous contact.

Also, it's about the numbers-game mentality, dialing for dollars, that sales people may have. They would do well to coach with someone to sharpen their social graces. Remember, many of these folks never ate with a knife and fork and were latch-key kids fending for themselves (but I digress to another topic!)

Oh, did I mention courtesy? Try, “Is this a good time,” or, “How would you like me to reach you?,” inquiries or sending a congratulations card when the prospect is written up, or just, “I was thinking about you,” and send an "interest article." Phew—now that's hard work—NOT.

Let’s keep the topic going. There is so much to discuss and so little time.
Please send me your feedback on your experiences on both sides of the issue.

Regards,
Michelle Cubas

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Article Tags: bunker buster, congratulations card, cubas, email, good time, interest article, irresponsibility, knife and fork, listener, little time, mentality, numbers game, pen and paper, persistence, pretense, rudeness in the workplace, scoop, self check, social graces, tumor



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