Demonstrate awareness of international protocol principles in relation to forms of address and introductions
In international politics, protocol is the etiquette of diplomacy and affairs of state. It may also refer to an international agreement that supplements or amends a treaty.
A protocol is a rule which describes how an activity should be performed, especially in the field of diplomacy. In diplomatic services and governmental fields of endeavour protocols are often unwritten guidelines. Protocols specify the proper and generally accepted behaviour in matters of state and diplomacy, such as showing appropriate respect to a head of state, ranking diplomats in chronological order of their accreditation at court, and so on. One definition is:
Protocol is commonly described as a set of international courtesy rules. These well-established and time-honoured rules have made it easier for nations and people to live and work together. Part of protocol has always been the acknowledgment of the hierarchical standing of all present. Protocol rules are based on the principles of civility. —Dr. P.M. Forni on behalf of the International Association of Protocol Consultants and Officers.
There are two meanings of the word protocol. In the legal sense, it is defined as an international agreement that supplements or amends a treaty. In the diplomatic sense, the term refers to the set of rules, procedures, conventions and ceremonies that relate to relations between states. In general, protocol represents the recognized and generally accepted system of international courtesy.
This comes from the act of gluing a sheet of paper to the front of a document to preserve it when it was sealed, which imparted additional authenticity to it. In the beginning, the term protocol related to the various forms of interaction observed in official correspondence between states, which were often elaborate in nature. In course of time, however, it has come to cover a much wider range of international relations.
Explain protocol principles at various functions
We think workplace protocols are guiding principles, not exhaustive procedures and rules, more about common sense and respect for self and one another, everyday etiquette focused on the “We”, not “I” or “Me”.
To build your culture we think it is important to use the protocols to do the following:
- Cultivate and engage community
- Foster expectations around shared values and behaviour
- Granting permission to intervene
- Enhancing creativity and collaborative effectiveness, deepen quality of interactions, be they face to face or digital, or hybrid.
- Encourage wellness and wellbeing mind-sets with attention to ergonomics, periodic standing and sitting, exercising, after-hours electronic work separation, work life balance.
- Build shared knowledge around varied work styles and extroverted and introverted temperaments
Without them you may be facing issues on a continuum ranging from slight annoyance to severe impairment of day to day work. Whether involving safety and security procedures, basic ground rules for work areas, scheduling and confidentiality issues, unwanted smells and noise, unwarranted interruptions and distractions, cleanliness and more, all of these issues get in the way of doing the work needing to be done and enjoying it as much as possible.
Cultivating a strong culture means building resilient and trusting communication pathways. We believe the protocols should be revisited on a recurring basis modelling ever-changing today’s work processes, technologies, business and cultural issues. Whether online, posted on workstation panels, having them around provides clarity to day to day interactions, almost a relief valve of sorts by their very existence.
The Workplace Protocol Framework:
Depending on your business type and demographics of your organization the actual procedures and shared expectations around protocols, behaviours, etiquette will vary widely. Here’s a scaffolding of the key attributes we believe matter.
- Safety and security
- Open office etiquette
- Workstyle, Temperament and Permission
- Do Not Disturb and Quiet Zones
- Working in social areas, including cafe’s, lunch areas
- At individual work areas, workstations or private offices
- In meetings, whether out in the open, lounges, formal meeting and collaboration areas. video
- Shared business service areas such as printers, copiers, libraries, storage spaces, mailrooms and more.
- Eating, drinking and food
- Electronic and digital interactions
- Telework and off-site protocols around scheduling, work load shifting
Depending on your business type and demographics of your organization the actual procedures and shared expectations around protocols, behaviours, etiquette will vary widely. What won’t vary is an over-riding theme of common sense, respect for self and for others and the place and your shared values. Recognize you have different aged generations at work ranging from the emerging Gen-Z, Millenials, Gen-Y’s and Gen-X, to now aging baby boomers. We all must work well together and recognize there is no one size fits all answer, especially from a singular generational view.
For aging boomers, texting and emailing at meetings while talking with one another at the same time seems disrespectful and ineffective for example. However, with a younger organization demographic, this might be more ok. The point is to talk about this important stuff, rather than ignore it, cut out the ambiguity at work in ways like this, create shared behaviour expectations, and we venture to say you will perform better and be happier.
Find the missing conversations about behavioural expectations. Seek them out, be transparent about what you discover together. Do this on a reoccurring basis on a team, business unit, and whole company basis. You will be cultivating and sustaining your culture along the way.
The key to developing workplace protocols aligning to and supporting your mission, brand and values while leveraging your essential organizational DNA is to start the conversation at the kitchen, in your team meetings and in the board room. It’s easier than you think to start and once begun you will not regret it, nor turn back.
Research professional etiquette in appropriate context
People judge you and your organization on how you carry yourself in social and professional situations. If you don’t know the proper way to shake someone’s hand or offer your business card, people might question your business skills as well. By observing proper etiquette, however, you suggest to fellow professionals that you’re on their level. You also portray yourself as someone at ease both in the boardroom and when meeting with people one-on-one.
You only have a few seconds to make a good first impression, whether you’re meeting a prospective client or networking with power players within your industry. How you present yourself affects not only your reputation but also your company’s image, and a mastery of business etiquette can help even small businesses hold their own against their larger and more high-profile competitors.
A little etiquette knowhow can open up several professional doors. Potential clients and associates will often judge you as much on your soft skills as they will your business savvy. Someone skilled in communication and comfortable in a wide range of professional situations will inspire trust more easily than someone who isn’t. If you’re always courteous, know how to handle yourself both in high-stakes meetings and at business lunches, you’ll impress people with your versatility and people skills.
If a client is looking for a public relations professional to represent his company, for example, he’s going to favour someone who can make a positive impression on his behalf.
Success in business requires preparation, hard work and determination. Even after putting together the perfect presentation, you may still lose the business because you did not attend to the important detail of business etiquette. There are many different advantages to business etiquette that, when learned, can become business tools to use for your career.
One of the aspects of business etiquette is knowing when to say something and when to keep the information you have to yourself, according to Deborah Schneider, writing for the American Bar Association. When you are able to refrain from disclosing something that may get you personally involved in a situation, you can help maintain a professional appearance and avoid making a situation worse. For example, if two executives are involved in a personal dispute and you have information that could benefit one or the other, business etiquette says to not get involved. This allows you to maintain business relationships with important people.
Etiquette is a set of unwritten rules that apply to social situations, professional workplaces and relationships. In the business world, good business etiquette means that you act professionally and exercise proper manners when engaging with others in your profession. Good business etiquette is a valuable skill-set that will make you stand out from others, enhance your chances at success and help you land that dream job.
In business, the relationships you build are critical. Establishing good rapport is significant if you want to progress your professional future, take on new clients, impress your boss or close that final sale. The way to build positive relationships in the business world is by exercising good etiquette, specifically by exhibiting top-notch communication skills. If others are speaking, give them your full attention and make eye contact to let them know you are engaged in the conversation. This is known as active listening. When it is your turn to speak, be clear and concise, and avoid jargon that your audience would not understand. Add a smile and a handshake so others find you pleasant to work with.
Good business etiquette is the recipe for advancing your career. In the business world, people with good etiquette are rewarded for their professional and polite skills. For example, an employee who arrives at a meeting on time (or early) and is ready to take notes has a better chance of impressing his supervisor than the employee who shows up to the meeting late, and forgets to bring a pen. Those who exemplify good business etiquette are proving that they respect their position, job, co-workers and take their performance seriously. As such, these individuals win promotions and get ahead in their careers.
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