How to Handle a Colleague Who Lacks Business Etiquette

The era of proper business etiquette may seem forgotten today.

An email suffices where a handwritten note on stationary once was a must. A text, more often than note, is seen as an adequate replacement for a phone call. Even face-to-face meetings are being abandoned as people look to complete their work remotely or without the human touch of creating a real business relationship.

But these high-touch efforts are not anachronistic, even if new technologies seem to make communication easier and faster than ever. Depending on your industry, making sure that everyone on the team understands the value of etiquette in the workplace can ensure that the work is allowed to shine without distractions.

Here are a few common types of colleagues you may encounter who are a bit rough around the edges and here are a few ways you can help smooth things out.

The No-Introduction Networker

Often, we are required to attend a meeting led by a colleague. If you are the newest member of the team, it’s expected that this colleague will introduce you. A good colleague will even sing your praises a little bit to make your presence positively understood. But the No-Introduction Networker—either out of obliviousness or self-importance—will fail to introduce you or explain why you are there. While you may not want to interrupt, it’s now your responsibility to assert yourself and make sure you introduce yourself without calling out the error of your colleague for forgetting to mention you. 

The Chronic Over-Sharer

Not every conversation is intended for everyone. Sometimes, the Chronic Over-Sharer is present for a conversation about a client or project that is never intended to leave the room. However, this person will make the mistake of blurting out this information—perhaps even unflattering information—in front of the client or another colleague who should not hear it. In this case, your best offense may be defense and knowledge in the future. You can’t control what this colleague will blab to the wrong person, but you can be more savvy about what you say in front of him. For added protection, consider this breach of etiquette a one-and-done policy: if you give him three strikes, you may find your whole team in hot water.

The Email Bandit

Here at Ivy Exec, we could write a whole book about proper email etiquette. However, one of the most frustrating types of communicators has to be the coworker who sends ten emails when one will do. Whether the Email Bandit is flooding your inbox with dozens of “Oh, and one other thing…” types of messages or is communicating with clients in this way, it might be worth your while to step in. Take the blame: explain that it is hard for you to remain organized when emails come in pieces instead of finding one email that contains all the relevant information. This might help her take the hint and group her thoughts a bit better. 

The Conference Call Mute Monster

Ah, the mute button. Often used, often abused. This one can be incredibly dangerous, and you may find yourself cringing at a coworker who is guilty of this one—or worse, become guilty by association.

Firstly, many people on the other end of the line can tell that you’ve muted your phone when the background noise goes mysteriously silent. That can signal to a client or supervisor that you are either not listening or are talking about them.

Secondly, the Conference Call Mute Monster may put the call on mute and begin chatting with you over the speakers, leaving you vulnerable if you are asked a question you cannot hear. Address the issue before the next conference call begins where you and this colleague will be sharing a phone. Let her know that you have trouble concentrating when other things are happening in the room during a call and tell her that you’d rather avoid using the mute button if at all possible. If she’s not getting the hint, schedule the next conference call on your turf so that you’re controlling the phone.

The Thankless One

It can be frustrating to work on a team with someone who never expresses their gratitude. But it can be even worse to watch a coworker burn out shared employees or interns without so much as a “thanks.” In these cases, you may find yourself picking up the slack with praise and thanks. But your colleague may simply need a nudge in the right direction. Remind him that it would mean a lot to the team if he let them know that he appreciates their hard work. He may disagree—in which case you’ve done all you can. But most people will take the constructive advice and, in fact, admit they were unaware that they were not thanking people enough for their work.

It can be a delicate task to get a workplace equal to behave more appropriately—after all, you’re not his manager. But often, the worst offenders of workplace etiquette are unaware that they are doing anything wrong and will be happy to correct their mistakes with a polite nudge in the right direction.