May is National Civility Awareness Month

What is Civility?  According to Dictionary.com 1. Courtesy; politeness. 2. A polite action or expression: an exchange of civilities. 3. Archaic civilization culture good breeding.

Many great people in history have had thoughts on Civility.

Ralph Waldo Emerson “the civility of the world has reached that pitch that their more moral genius is becoming indispensable, and the quality of this race is to be honored for itself.”  Address delivered in Concord on the Anniversary of the Emancipation of the Negroes in the British West Indies, August 1, 1884.  Dictionary.com

George Washington’s Rules of Civility

1^st “Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect, to those that are present.”

56st “Associate yourself with men/women of good quality if you esteem you own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.”

Benjamin Franklin believed practicing the art of civil virtue leads first to personal happiness and eventually to greatness.

According to Dr. P.M. Forni co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project and noted author, “Civility is more than courteous, well-mannered behavior.  Being civil means being constantly aware of others and weaving restraint, respect, and consideration into the very fabric of this awareness.  Civility if a form of goodness, those who practice civility find both serenity and contentment.”

 

What’s Rudeness and Incivility Costing Your Organization?

According to research rudeness and incivility are costing

U.S. corporations $300 billion dollars per year [1]

First, let’s define some terms:

Incivility (n.) 1. Rudeness; discourtesy. 2. A rude or discourteous act.

Rude (adj.) 1. Impolite or offensive. 2. Roughly made or done; lacking subtlety or accuracy. 3. Primitive or uneducated. 4. Abrupt; sudden; startling; violent. 5. Lacking proper respect.

Etiquette (n.) 1. The conventional rules of social behavior. 2a. The customary behavior of members of a profession towards each other. b. The unwritten code governing this. [2]

Ever been the victim of bad manners in the workplace? [3]

Giving someone a “dirty” look

• Asking for input and then ignoring it
• “Forgetting” to give credit for collaborate work
• Speaking with a condescending tone
• Interrupting others
• Not listening
• Waiting impatiently over someone’s desk for attention
• Sending a nasty or demeaning note
• Side conversations during a business meeting
• Talking about someone behind his/her back
• Undermining credibility in front of others
• Overruling decisions without giving a reason
• Disrupting meetings
• Giving the silent treatment
• Giving public reprimands
• Insulting others

American business has an incivility problem, and it’s getting worse.

Few business leaders take the necessary steps to stop incivility.

Workplace incivility is one of today’s most substantial economic drains on American business.  Incivility’s measurable costs alone are enormous.

How to tally damage done by increased employee turnover?

Job stress leading to illness and absenteeism.

The disruption of work teams.

The tarnishing of corporate and individual reputations.

Incivility unleashes a set of complicated and destructive dynamics on individuals, teams, and organizations that impede performance and create organizational dysfunction on a number of levels, leading to diminished financial results. [4]

In the article Business Etiquette Can be Your Ticket to Success, the main point made is that companies can make more money by having employees that use proper etiquette while at work. [5]

 

It appears that etiquette training might be a sound solution to the civility problems that are being encountered by the work force of today. It may cost organizations a bit more now, but it will most likely pay for itself in the long term. [6]