The use of profanity is becoming common and managers are bringing it into the workplace by using it themselves. It’s hurting their businesses and their images. To be a leader in business you must gain and keep the respect of your followers. There’s no quicker way to lower yourself in their eyes than to use profanity. You can attend top schools, wear the finest clothing and dine in the best restaurants. But the use of profanity shows a lack of character. It’s the language of the uneducated and lower class. Swearing has a negative effect on your reputation and takes away from your professionalism. It doesn’t indicate your mastery of the English language. It doesn’t say you’re smart, witty, charming or easy to get along with. It doesn’t earn you respect or admiration from your peers. It doesn’t accomplish anything. There is a commonly held misconception that the tougher the language one uses in business, the tougher and more in control one appears. Actually the opposite is true. Swearing indicates you have little control and is a sign of hostility. It will actually take away from the message you are trying to communicate. Even in today’s liberal times, where four letter words are commonly heard on television and radio, most people are uncomfortable hearing it, especially at work. They find it impossible to respect someone who uses it. Remember you set the tone. If you use profanity, you can be sure it will become the language of your department or company. If it’s part of your daily vocabulary, you will offend someone regularly. If you tolerate cursing among your staff, soon they’ll be using it in front of your customers. Some tips for trying to curb the cussing: Become aware of how others sound when they use it. Substitute words. You don’t have to be “pissed off.” You can be “upset.” Also, accept life is full of little frustrations. We tend to use profanity when we’re impatient. Develop a little patience. Also, consider adopting a No-Free Speech Policy defining improper language as: Unwanted, deliberate, and repeated profanity, along with vulgar, insulting, abusive, or crude language. The policy could call for a range of disciplinary action for employees found in violation of it, ranging from counseling sessions and verbal warnings to written reprimands, suspension, and termination. Call us for Business Etiquette Training and Business Etiquette Training Materials 973-857-6200 etiquette@corbyoconnor.com ©Copyright 2007. CORBY O'CONNOR ETIQUETTE & PROTOCOL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS MATERIAL MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN INFORMATION AND/OR RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY WAY OR BY ANY MEANS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ELECTRONIC, MAGNETIC, DIGITAL, OPTICAL, LASER-BASED, MECHANICAL OR OTHERWISE,WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM CORBY O'CONNOR ETIQUETTE & PROTOCOL.