Misconceptions about the role of manners in the workplace abound. It's critical in today's fiercely competitive workplace that business professionals understand and practice basic good manner skills. What are these skills?

See if you can complete the following true/false test to assess your own knowledge.

1. It takes more time to do things politely.
2. Guidelines for proper behavior just make things more complicated.
3. Etiquette is old fashioned. Today, anything goes.
4. If an office has a laid-back environment, etiquette doesn't apply.
5. Manners are constant. Once you learn them, they don't have to be updated.
6. If you get a reputation for being polite, people won't respect you.
7. Emphasizing what's proper just shows that you are a snob.
8. Manners stifle self-expression.
9. Manners won't help you improve the bottom line.
10. Business etiquette gives you firm rules, with the answer for every sticky situation.

Now, for the answers….

1. It takes more time to do things politely. False. While it may take time to learn to apply manners -- just as it takes time to incorporate any new behavior into your routine – good manners save you time. You won't have to spend time soothing hurt feelings or making up for damaging mistakes.



2. Guidelines for proper behavior just make things more complicated. False. Etiquette isn't all that complicated. Most of the guidelines are based on kindness, efficiency and logic. Once you become familiar with the guidelines, they're easy to apply. And, they free you from the discomfort of uncertainty and the fear of offending someone.



3. Etiquette is old-fashioned. False. While it's true that business today is not as universally formal as it once was, people still need to be courteous and act professionally. Not only does this reflect well on you and our company, but the work environment is also more enjoyable when people are kind and pleasant.



4. If an office has a laid-back environment, etiquette doesn't apply. False. Even if your office environment is quite casual and laid-back, etiquette is appropriate. Being friendly and polite is important in all environments.



5. Manners are constant. Once you learn them, you don't have to update them. False. While we often associate good manners with what our mothers told us about behaving in social situations, those rules don't always apply in modern business settings. For example, some women were taught to curtsy upon being introduced. And that is certainly not appropriate in today's work environment.



6. If you get a reputation for being polite, people won't respect you. False. Being polite doesn't mean you'll lose clout, instead you'll gain it. If you treat people with respect, they'll respect you. Aren't you more inclined to go the extra mile for someone who honors your dignity? Being strong doesn't have to imply being mean.



7. Emphasizing what's proper just shows that you are a snob. False. Sometimes, people do use their knowledge of protocol to intimidate others. However, being a snob actually demonstrates bad manners. The key to courtesy is making others feel comfortable.



8. Manners stifle self-expression. False. You can be yourself while being polite (unless, of course, you pride yourself on being rude). Good manners don't stifle self-expression – they just refine it. You can chitchat without engaging in malicious gossip. You can be honest without being crude. Etiquette allows for a wide range of behavior. You can be polite and still have plenty of personality.



9. Manners won't help you improve the bottom line. False. Applying appropriate business etiquette can both directly and indirectly enhance your company's bottom line. What's more, only a small investment is needed for a large return. Here's why: Customers and clients are more likely to do repeat business with a company that makes them feel comfortable and valued – two outcomes of appropriate business manners.



10. Business etiquette gives you firm rules, with the answer for every sticky situation. False. The guidelines that follow are neither rigid nor carved in stone. Appropriate behavior changes with the times and with the situation. While you should know and use good manners, you choose when to apply them. However, you should certainly not break etiquette guidelines out of ignorance.

Business etiquette, of course, doesn't have an answer for every sticky situation. However, it can provide valuable guidelines that, combined with your knowledge of circumstances and the personalities involved, will get you through most situations.

Article copyright 2005 Marjorie Brody and Brody Communications Ltd. Marjorie Brody, CSP, CMC, PCC, is an internationally recognized speaker, and coach to Fortune 1,000 executives. She connects people to their potential by strengthening their communication and professionalism.

Marjorie is author of more than a dozen career-related books, including her newest Career MAGIC: A Woman's Guide to Reward & Recognition, and Speaking is an Audience-Centered Sport, and co-author of the award-winning book Help! Was that a Career Limiting Move? She is a recognized media expert whose commentary on workplace/career issues is regularly featured on TV and radio shows, and in newspapers and magazines. To contact Marjorie or book her as a speaker, trainer or coach, call 800-726-7936, or visit www.MarjorieBrody.com for more information.