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What Do I Need to Know About Workplace Etiquette?

Oct 4, 2023

Comedian and author Sarah Cooper, known for her viral lip-syncing TikToks, shares insights on workplace etiquette, including email writing, handling oneself in meetings, and when it's acceptable to wear comfy pants to work. Cooper and host Elainy Mata also answer office etiquette questions, offering tips on interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and office politics.

25:56

Episode guests

Sarah Cooper

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Observing and emulating the behavior of experienced colleagues can help navigate the unwritten rules of workplace etiquette.

Finding a balance between preparation and adaptability is crucial in meetings, along with active listening and knowing when to speak up.

Deep dives

The Importance of Workplace Etiquette

Workplace etiquette is crucial for creating a positive and collaborative work environment. It contributes to building strong relationships with colleagues and being well-liked. Sarah Cooper, a writer and comedian, emphasizes the significance of being someone that people enjoy working with. Soft skills, such as having a pleasant demeanor and being respectful, are just as vital as hard skills in professional success. While workplace etiquette may not be explicitly taught, observing and emulating the behavior of more experienced colleagues can help navigate the unwritten rules.

Introduction

3min

Navigating Workplace Etiquette and the Importance of Soft Skills

2min

Navigating the Interview Process

8min

Exploring Workplace Etiquette and Challenging the Unwritten Rule

2min

Workplace Etiquette and Professional Communication

8min

Overcoming Fear and Challenging Workplace Norms

4min

When you’re starting your career, navigating the unwritten rules around to how to behave at work can be really difficult. So how do you learn that etiquette?

This week comedian and author Sarah Cooper tells host Elainy Mata how she learned those invisible rules early in her career, why they matter, and which rules she thinks you can bend.

You may know Sarah for her viral lip-syncing TikToks during the pandemic. But before that, she worked as a designer at big tech companies – like Yahoo and Google. And she didn’t just crack the office etiquette game -- she also had some fun with those rules. In fact, Sarah’s early comedy is all about office etiquette – like her satirical article “10 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings.”

Sarah and Elainy offer their take on the etiquette of email writing, how to handle yourself in meetings, and when it’s OK to wear your comfy pants to work. Plus, they answer your office etiquette questions.

Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.

Key topics include: interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, listening skills, office politics, careers.

More Reading:

How to Speak Up in Meetings (Christine vs. Work)

How to Write Better Emails at Work (Jeff Su)

The New Rules of Work Clothes (Allison Shapira)

The Cooper Review (Sarah Cooper)