12 Communication rules for professional life: Knigge for career success

Being able to communicate clearly is one of the Basics a successful career, especially in times of digital media. You always understand that this is not as obvious as many people think when things go wrong. 12 tips to avoid the most common mistakes.

Reason for misunderstandings

German language, difficult language - this is even true for native speakers. Because the probability of stepping into a faux pas while talking is great. And that can be really embarrassing, especially in your professional life.

Others don't always understand People us exactly how we mean it. The lunch break example is quite classic: "Oh, it's already twelve o'clock," says colleague Meier and says: "Man, we did such a great job and really deserved the lunch break". But colleague Müller understands something else, namely: "We were so slow and now it's already 12 o'clock" - and promptly snapped.

The relationship between the conversation partners is important

The books on the subject (advertising)

The reason for such misunderstandings is that communication does not only take place on a factual level. That means: With every statement we not only hear the pure content - in our example the time "It is 12 o'clock", but usually interpret something else.

What, in turn, depends on our emotional and social relationship with the speaker: We hear what is being said on the factual level, but understand something different on the relational level. That Ms. Müller about the statement made by your colleague Meier insulted says a lot about the relationship between the two of them: Apparently she is often criticized by him and therefore evaluates even harmless statements as Criticism.

Misunderstandings can lead to problems

Even if this example is still relatively harmless – such misunderstandings can lead to serious problems, especially in everyday working life. During the lunch break, colleague Meier asks colleague Schmitt, who was promoted a few weeks ago: “Well, you are satisfied in your new position?" He's just curious and wants Small Talk operate.

However, colleague Schmitt, who is currently struggling with serious difficulties, feels attacked because he believes his colleague wants to challenge him for the position. From now on he wants it exactly in the Eye keep. The little question has sustained the working atmosphere between the two poisoned.

12 communication rules for the job

Discounts for your success (advertising)!

To such Problems To avoid it, you should stick to certain communication rules, especially at work. Because they help avoid blunders. Stern.de shows what you should definitely pay attention to if you don't want to offend.

1. Salutation - never too confidential: As a stranger, you should not address people you do not know, as if you had a familiar relationship with them. This is especially true at different Hierachieebenen or large age differences. For example, you should never duce an adult person without their consent or with a pet name. Such disrespect always seem condescending.
2. Presentation - it depends on the order: Anyone who introduces two people to each other on business occasions should strictly adhere to the hierarchy. The following applies: The lower-ranking person is introduced to the higher-ranking person first. If the spouse is present, their hierarchical level is derived from that of their partner. So the secretary is first introduced to the manager and his wife – and then vice versa. The same applies to customers: they are the first to be granted the right to know the names of the employees. Formulations such as “May I introduce” or “May I introduce myself” have proven useful. The question "allow" is now also considered obsolete in business.
3. Presentation without hierarchies: If there are no hierarchies - for example, among peers - the rules apply as in the private sphere. This means: the gentleman is presented to the lady first, as well as the younger colleague to the older one. Attention: neither of these two rules takes precedence over the other. So when a younger lady is introduced to an older colleague, one has to intuitively decide which rule has priority. By the way: From five people in a round that is all too complicated. Then you no longer need to worry about hierarchy, gender or age, but the idea takes place Reihum - with newcomers first introduce themselves.
4. You or you? In other countries it has long become common practice to indulge other people indiscriminately. In Germany, however, it is still common - which can lead to some problems. Children and adolescents are taken, the age limit is usually the 16th or 18th birthday. Adults, on the other hand, always say "you" unless they are related, friends, well known or have known each other since childhood. In the business environment, the hierarchy decides who can offer whom the “you”, that is, the higher-ranking person offers the “you” - not the other way around. If there are no hierarchies, it is based on the age and gender, that is: the older one offers the “you” to the younger one, the lady offers the gentleman. Usually more consideration is given to age.
5. One you reject? In groups, it can sometimes make sense for one member to suggest the "you" for the entire group. But you should already know each other well so that you can be sure not to surprise anyone, because a you is very difficult to take back. Conversely, you can politely refuse an offer to have a chat, for example: “Don't be angry with me, but I'd rather stay with you in a group of colleagues. I really appreciate your offer as a basis of trust. ” In order to avoid misunderstandings from the outset, you can also clarify at the beginning of an acquaintance how to address yourself: "I suggest we stay with you until we know each other a little better." An elegant solution is also the so-called hamburger you - the title with the first name, but with "you".
6. Farewell: Certain practices also apply in the case of adoption. Especially during a meeting, a seminar or a business, you can not simply go when it is popular. As a rule, you have to wait for the signal for the start-up, which the moderator, lecturer or host will sound. If you know beforehand that you have to go earlier, you should inform us in advance and provide a good reason.
7. Clear events: If you are a moderator or host yourself, you should end your event with clear words and not look at the clock demonstratively. Sentences like: “We have now reached the end of our event. I thank you very much for your attention. ”
8. Criticize without hurting: Anyone who voices criticism should note two things: The criticism should not be presented emotionally, but factually. Generalizations like "You are always like this ..." should be avoided. And: If possible, criticism should be voiced in private. Because he criticizes another person in a circle of colleagues, for example, easily wastes sympathy. Because the kitsched will see the incident as exposure. If you want to criticize several people, you can do this in a group. However, nobody should become a scapegoat.
9. Use alien and specialist words sparingly: The same applies in everyday work: Caution with technical terms. In the job one can assume more than in normal everyday life that the interlocutors also understand the technical language. However, there is always a risk that other people will be excluded by foreign words or anglicisms that they do not understand. Therefore, especially if good German words are available, you should also use them. Talking about "save the date" instead of making an appointment can - and this is just one example - quickly appear ridiculous or imaginary.
10. Just not too curious: Being inappropriate is also exaggerated curiosity. A special faux pas, for example, is the question of the partner or child wish. But also questions about life planning, personal satisfaction, health, sex or personal fears and worries should be avoided - unless the person starts talking about the topic himself. Otherwise, one can very well with such questions in the foot - especially since not from personal sympathy is asked, but only to satisfy the sensational desire to breastfeed.
11. I'm talking, so am I? The opposite is just as inappropriate: just talking about yourself and assuming that others share your own views. But not everyone is interested in their own achievements, career positions, status symbols or successes with the opposite sex - especially not if they become full-length monologues. It looks ridiculous rather than impressive. Equally uncomfortable are people who see their own abilities as a general standard of education and thus give others a feeling of inferiority, for example: "What, you haven't seen this film ...". In this way, an informal conversation atmosphere is quickly destroyed.
12. To avoid too much formality: Some people shoot past the target in an effort to be polite. They use an exaggerated expression to sound eloquent or talk around the subject as if it were around the famous hot porridge, instead of simply calling the thing by name. Or they use unnecessarily complicated sentence constructions, which they often do not complete. One - deliberately exaggerated - example: Instead of simply asking the colleague whether he will come to the canteen, the colleague says: “I would be very grateful if you had the kindness to let me know by tomorrow morning whether You might dine with me. ” Something like that doesn't seem particularly polite and elegant, but rather ridiculous. It is always better to express yourself in normal everyday German without becoming too flippant.

Top books on the subject

Read text as PDF

Acquire this text as a PDF (only for own use without passing it on according to Terms and conditions): Please send us one after purchase eMail with the desired title supportberufebilder.de, we will then send the PDF to you immediately. You can also purchase text series.

4,99€Buy

Advice on success, goal achievement or marketing

You have Ask about career, Recruiting, personal development or increasing reach? Our AIAdviser helps you for 5 euros a month – free for book buyers. We offer special ones for other topics IT services

5,00€ / per month   Book

Book eCourse on Demand

Up to 30 lessons with 4 learning tasks each + final lesson as a PDF download. Please send us one after purchase eMail with the desired title supportberufebilder.de. Alternatively, we would be happy to put your course together for you or offer you a personal, regular one eMail-Course - all further information!

29,99€Buy

Skate eBook as desired

If our store does not offer you your desired topic: We will be happy to put together a book according to your wishes and deliver it in a format of yours Choice. Please sign us after purchase supportberufebilder.de

79,99€Buy