The workplace is a different ball-game all together

For many twenty-something years old, getting a job is a big deal. Having gone through college and graduated with that glistening degree, it seems, the heavy lifting is done and what is left for you is to get the job of your dreams, earn good money and finally build your personal brand of independence. Fair enough! This is a valid expectation.

But the reality is the heavy lifting does not end at getting the job. You are trying to figure out whether to be fish or fowl, but only vaguely aware of this fact because you insist on being an adult. It might come as a surprise, therefore, that you might be making very many mistakes at the workplace.

And that is what this piece is about things to avoid at the workplace, wisdom largely drawn from a conversation with my mentor.

Do not write an email (to your supervisor) beginning with ‘hey!’

Words like yeah, hey, cool are very unsightly in an email, especially an official email to a superior at work. Also, the tone and the way you phrase your emails is an aspect that you need to take note of. For starters, distinguish between how words differ when spoken verbally and when they are written down.

Sometimes what seems alright in verbal speech might come off as rude when you put it on email, so always re-read the emails you write to your boss with a fine toothcomb. If you feel uncertain, have someone that can give you an honest opinion read through before you hit the ‘send’ but-ton.

We live in a world of WhatsApp and Facebook, but the principles of official communication are still the same old ones. Also, if you need to clarify something work-related and walking to your boss’s desk/office (as opposed to replying via email) is an option, go and clarify the issue in person.

Take time before you get involved in office politics

No matter what following you command among your friends, resist the temptation to become too forward in office politics. Pacing your words and sticking to the official language of communication when addressing your superiors, especially, is important because you do not want people to think you are flippant or you do not take them seriously. Granted, this is the generation that has all the information at the click of a button, but unlike the world you came from, at the workplace, there is something called ‘subcultures’.

Many offices observe these subcultures and maybe it is a good idea for your headstrong opinion to wait until you have understood your co-workers and the subcultures that exist. This way, you will not run the risk of antagonising your superiors over issues that have no real consequence to your delivery at the work place.

Outbursts and office gossip, please refrain

They do not teach ‘anger management skills’ in most undergraduate courses, but that does not mean that you do not need these skills. The way you deal with the things that upset you at home is not the same way that you deal with things that upset you at the work place.

At the office, people do not have the benefit of knowing your temperament and if they do, they may not really care. You are at the office to work and like everyone else, you are expected to be professional.

Of course, as a new employee, it is okay to not know how to navigate situations like that, but that is why you need to take time to observe, take notes and learn. Once in a while when you come across situations that are upsetting, it is worth remembering the code of conduct that you signed when joining the organisation and follow the proper channels to address the issue(s).

Speaking with someone that you trust to guide you through is also an option. The key thing is recognising that you are a grown up now and to be treated as such, you must learn the adult ways of doing things which includes legalities instead of overly relying on emotions.

Dealing with/addressing superiors

This is tied to the first point on email communication. Here is the thing, when it comes to the workplace, you have to always think about what you say, how you say it and even how you write.

The goal is ensuring that you are not misunderstood or your manner of speech does not confuse people. Clarity and simplicity are the operative words here.

Pacing your words and sticking to the official language of communication when addressing your superiors, especially, is important because you do not want people to think you are flippant or you do not take them seriously.

If you are getting ready for a presentation, it pays to take time to rehearse and thoroughly prepare because this will not only boost your confidence, it will also make you feel confident of what you are saying.

Dress code match

In situations where the company does not expressly state the expected dress code, you can navigate this by being observant. The goal is that you dress as professionally as your environment dictates and ensure that you are not dressing too liberally for a conservative environment or too conservatively for a liberal environment.

Just ensure that people are not confused about how to address you be-cause your dressing style is out of place.

Time-management does not depend on the traffic on your route

Time management is not something that is negotiable. Be on time for work, be on time for meetings and appointments and generally, be a re-liable worker.

Observe common etiquette

Long personal phone calls, inviting friends to the office for unnecessarily long or distracting your co-workers with frivolous matters could get you into trouble.

Be open to learning and do not be afraid to try out new things

Believe that you went to school, you are well prepared for the job and believe that you have the right, like everyone else, to be at that company.

And like everyone else, there are things that you might not know how to do. Do not be held back by the fear of failure. Just try. Your attitude is the most important thing.