Courtesy at work
I.M. Soni

A business consultant says, “A majority of troubles in an organisation arise because people don’t get along with one another.”

This leads to non-cooperation, friction, waste of time and energy, back-stalling. Eventually, it leads to inefficiency and a bad name for the organisation.

At every level in an office, factory and establishment, the same problems raise their head. Can different people work harmoniously if they do not see eye to eye with each other?

Can we do anything when we find ourselves in such a situation? It’s important because our progressive career depends on others’ cooperation, goodwill, as much as merit.

First: people are different. no two persons are alike, even twins are not!

Each person is a separate individual. A lot of friction and disharmony can be avoided if we recognise this simple fact.

Miss A sitting in the cabin next to you is acid tongued. Can you do anything about it? Accept it.

Your tension will disappear. You become a better and more efficient worker. You promote your own career by eliminating the negative from your work environment.

Cultivate a genuine liking for colleagues for their positive qualities. Mention them. Talk about them. These will return to you on a re-bound. You are the beneficiary.

There is nothing an average person dislikes as much as being ignored. And there is nothing to which he doesn’t respond if you are interested in him.

Courtesy lubricates the relationships at work. The little habits of courtesy and politeness go miles in pushing, improving, and cementing a relationship for job advancement.

You will certainly come across opinions contrary to yours, take them in your stride. Do not put up your hackles. It takes all kinds of persons to make an organisation.

Every employee in your organisation has a right to his opinion. Just as you have.

When that other person expresses opinions you do not like, favour, or recommend, he is not attacking you. He is expressing his own ideas, opinions.

Also, do not allow your reactions to harden into hate or dislike. It’s better to treat colleagues with good humoured tolerance.

Be as appreciative as you can. When there is something to be praised, do not be a ‘miser’. To refuse praise is to censure.

Cultivate an eye for your colleagues’ good points. This is all the more necessary if you are the boss; “Well done” are two magic words which fetch you dividends in the form of cooperation, harmony and praise.

Appreciate your colleagues or subordinates in their absence. Let it reach them through some one else. It works wonders.

When you find yourself disliking and getting ruffled with this or that person, pause for a moment and ask yourself: “Am I too touchy” or “Too hypersensitive?”

You will find that, at times, you are non-cooperative, acidic in tongue, and hostile in manner. This means that the fault lies with you.

Courtesy is the lubricant of human relationships. The little daily habits of politeness go a long way in making work a pleasure.

What you need is a bit of “mind-stretching”. Extend your imagination a bit and put yourself in the position of the other. Remind yourself of the high cost of getting even with the other.