Like lots of other people, I spent some part of the past weekend creating a list of my personal and professional goals for 2010.  High on my list, “Develop more patience,” something that will be ever more necessary as I head to airports throughout 2010.

 

If you’re still struggling with creating your own resolutions, may I suggest that you begin right now by pulling out a sheet of paper, grabbing a pen, and writing down: “Bring my best manners to work.” 

 

Following are five actions you can immediately undertake that will help you achieve this goal. 

 

Say “please” and “thank you.” We all know that we’re supposed to say “please” and “thank you.” Time pressures at work, however, cause many to forget to use these simple, but all-important, words. You may dramatically alter the tone of a request in a very positive way by simply adding the word “please.” Similarly, saying “thank you” communicates a level of appreciation that may help strengthen your relationships with co-workers.

 

Use e-mail salutations and closings. Whenever you initiate an e-mail exchange, begin your message with some salutation, for example, “Good morning, Mary,” or “Hello, Mary.” Before you sign-off, add an appropriate business closing, for example, “Regards.”

 

Write only office-appropriate e-mail content. Last year provided a plethora of examples of professionals (from elected officials to professional athletes) who became embarrassed after-the-fact by content they had written in e-mail. Commit to yourself that in 2010 you will not write anything in e-mail that you would not feel comfortable seeing on the front page of the New York Times. 

 

E-mail vs. face-to-face. Too many employers and employees use e-mail to deliver messages that they might feel uncomfortable saying face-to-face. Use e-mail to share “need to know” facts, set-up meetings, distribute documents, or give project updates. Schedule a face-to-face meeting when you need to resolve differences of opinion or address interpersonal conflicts.

 

Practice kindness. Every day your workplace will provide you with loads of opportunities to practice small acts of kindness. You may have the opportunity to open the door for someone whose arms are filled with files. Or perhaps you will have the opportunity to tell a member of your organization’s technology team how much you appreciate their quick response to your shout-out for help. Take advantage of these opportunities. Acts of kindness are often repaid with more of the same.