Boorish Behaviors Are Today’s Common Business Behaviors
Have you ever attended a luncheon or formal meeting and observed people busily texting on their cell phones? Did you think, “How rude?”
When did professional business ethics, etiquette and common courtesy drop off the planet?
I had this thought recently when speaking with a colleague who shared her observation about this same scenario happening during a formal networking meeting. A member was presenting her 10-minute company overview. The new member (this was her first meeting as a member) instead of actively listening was busy with her phone answering emails through texting messages and even checking voice mails. Since the purpose of formal business networking groups is to know what each member does in order to make referrals and this new member had previously organized other networking groups, her boorish behavior shocked the other members.
This independent business networking group had been meeting for almost two years and never had witnessed such disrespectful behavior.
Now the group is making this formal announcement at the beginning of each meeting “There will be no texting or answering voice mails during the meeting.” How sad that expected common professional courtesy must now be announced.
During the last 10 years, I have observed similar behavior and unfortunately such poor and unethical behaviors are increasing. Professional common courtesy is quickly vanishing regardless of gender, age or role. From what I have witnessed, the baby boomers who comprise almost one third of the workforce appear to be even more rude than young workers.
This leads to the question how do you stem the tide and begin to turn around all of these boorish behaviors?
First, the organization needs to return to its values statement within the strategic action plan.
This is from my perspective the critical linchpin to successful execution of all goals. Until everyone knows the acceptable behaviors and then understands how these behaviors apply within the organization, boorish behaviors will continue. Sales Coaching Tip: If you do not have a strategic action plan, create one now and then revisit it on a weekly basis.
Second, the executive management team must lead by example. I have observed CEOs to VPs at local luncheons texting away and then discussing the poor attitudes of their employees. Authentic leaders walk the talk.
Third, review what it means to actively listen. The brain, contrary to what some experts claim, is not designed to multitask. Active listening is a learned skill and one that many fail to use.
Let’s be honest. There are no excuses for boorish behaviors. No one is that busy, that important, unless maybe you are the President of the United States or the leader of another nation.
The demonstration of such behaviors not only reflects the actual ethics and values of those misbehaving, but more importantly that their egos are in full overdrive. Yes in business a strong ego is necessary to keep going and going, but a boorish, self-centered ego drives opportunities and new sales away.
