According to Elif Şanlıöz, a lecturer at our university's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, these rules actually function like a universal communication system. In fact, just as English has become the common language of global communication, professional conduct norms have become the common language of the business world.
What do protocol and courtesy mean?
Protocol refers to the hierarchical order and rules of conduct that must be followed in official ceremonies, meetings, and institutional relations. It is fundamentally based on "order of precedence" and "formal procedure."
Politeness, on the other hand, is a broader concept. It encompasses all behaviors that reflect respect, empathy, and courtesy in interpersonal relationships. It covers many areas, from verbal communication and body language to email writing and attitudes in social settings.
Today, protocol and etiquette in the business world function almost as a universal "common language." Just as English has become the language of global communication, professional behavioral norms have become the invisible language of the business world. These rules are:
- It reduces conflicts.
- It clarifies the hierarchy.
- It strengthens the foundation of mutual respect.
Research shows that regardless of generation or culture, people's most basic expectation is "to be respected".
Does Politeness Really Affect a Career?
The short answer: Yes, much more than you think.
According to a Harvard Business Review study that examined more than 20 employees, 91 percent of managers prefer the candidate who excels in behavior and courtesy over another candidate with equal technical skills.
A more striking finding is this: employees who are perceived as rude or disrespectful in the workplace experience a 66% decrease in performance. In other words, rudeness is not just an image problem; it's a factor that directly leads to productivity and career loss.
Furthermore, the World Economic Forum's 2024 report reveals that a significant portion of the skills employers value most are social and communication skills. This clearly shows that it's no longer just what we know, but how we behave that provides a competitive advantage.
What are the most common mistakes in the workplace?
Many managers openly state that technically competent employees are not promoted solely due to behavioral errors. These errors generally fall under three categories:
1. Meeting mistakes
- Being late for meetings: It damages the perception of credibility.
- Coming unprepared: This is considered a lack of professionalism.
- Interrupting a conversation: This is a serious breach of protocol, especially in front of senior management.
- Extending the meeting: Time management is a tangible sign of respect.
2. Communication with senior management
Approaching senior management with solutions, not just problems, makes a difference. Research shows that employees who communicate in a solution-oriented way get 40% more leadership opportunities.
Digital behavior is also evaluated within this scope. Sharing photos without permission or tagging senior management on social media are serious protocol violations.
3. Office Behavior
Small, seemingly everyday behaviors actually determine the quality of the work environment:
- loud phone conversations
- Personal space violations
- Unauthorized use of screen or table
In addition, even simple actions like saying goodbye at the end of the day strengthen team cohesion.
Do these mistakes really affect a career?
The data is quite clear:
- 71% of employers consider protocol and etiquette errors more serious than technical deficiencies.
- 26% of employees are considering resigning due to disrespectful behavior in the workplace.
- In promotion decisions, technical skills account for 45%, while behavior and adaptability account for 55%.
So, when climbing the career ladder, it's not just what you do, but how you do it that matters.
First impression: 100 milliseconds of fate
First impressions are formed in just 1/10 of a second, and a large part of that is based on nonverbal communication: posture, eye contact, smile.
Even more remarkable is that one-third of hiring managers make a decision within the first 90 seconds.
The good news is: first impressions can be changed. However, it takes 5 to 7 positive interactions to do so. So, if you had a bad start, it's possible to make up for it, but it requires effort.
Small but powerful tips for beginners.
When starting a new job or attending an important meeting, these steps make a difference:
- Focus more on listening than talking during the first week.
- Arrive at meetings a few minutes early.
- Make an effort to remember people's names.
- Eliminate the phone entirely during the meeting.
The business world isn't just about knowledge and skills. How we communicate, the impression we make, and how we make others feel are just as crucial as technical skills.
Protocol and etiquette are, in fact, the most powerful, albeit invisible, language of professionalism.
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Industrial Engineering
Lecturer Elif ŞANLIÖZ
