Anecdotal evidence, common sense, and original surveys and interviews conducted by workplace consultant and sociologist Dr. Jan Yager reveal six basic principles of business etiquette:

1.Be on time. Being late impedes a company's operations and demonstrates a lack of consideration of the time concerns of others. Thus if you are constantly late for work, for meetings, for lunches, or late with your reports and other tasks, it shows others that you are probably not executive material because you do not understand the value of time.

2. Be discreet. Keep company secrets-like new product designs, sales figures, or any other confidences--to yourself. That means not just to avoid gossiping about who’s dating whom, but to avoid spreading what you consider "good" news like a pregnancy. (Maybe the pregnant woman wants to be the first to tell others, or maybe she wants to wait till after a certain meeting or date to share the news.)

3. Be courteous, pleasant, and positive. No matter how demanding your clients, customers, co-workers, or employees might be, remain upbeat and positive. A friendly manner-- not the same as trying to be everybody’s best friend-is more likely to lead to the top, as does projecting a positive company image.

4. Be concerned with others, not just yourself. Finding out a customer or client’s point of view naturally helps you get ahead in any industry. Concern for others should include your superiors, co-workers and subordinates as well. Hurting others in the name of competition-for market share, to try to get an advantage over others, or for the sake of a job-lets loose is more likely than not to backfire in the long or even the short run. Sensitivity and empathy, on the other hand, will carry you far.

5. Dress appropriately. Dress to fit comfortably into your level of the corporate environment. Dressing poorly or too casually can hurt a man or a woman on the rise in the business world. So can overdressing, which breeds suspicion and mistrust, and will be seen as inappropriate.

6. Use proper written and spoken language. "People who can express themselves clearly are at an advantage," says one manager. This goes beyond using good grammar, proper spelling, and appropriate diction in all your communications; you should also speak and write to the point.

*This is an edited version of an article that appeared in Personal Excellence newsletter, premier issue, November/December 1994. It was based on a much more extensive discussion of these principles, highlighted with quotes from specific executives, on pages 9-16 of Jan Yager’s award-winning book Business Protocol: How to Survive & Succeed (Wiley, 1991). This article may be duplicated and distributed as long as credit is given to its author along with this contact information: Dr. Jan Yager, 1127 High Ridge Road, #110, Stamford, CT 06905 (203) 968-8098 Fax (203) 968-0193 On the Internet: www.janyager.com e-mail: jyager@aol.com