BAD BEHAVIOR TRANSITIONS TOO

In the February issue of the Point newsletter Susanne Biro wrote about bad behavior of “otherwise talented, educated senior professionals“ she has worked with as a leadership coach. Among those behaviors are:

• Lack of respect for others and their time
• Rescheduling at the last minute or not showing up at all
• Not returning phone calls or replying to e-mails and thinking it’s okay
• Taking calls and e-mails during meetings

This indicates how they are likely to treat clients and colleagues. Biro wrote “It seems  professionals today have forgotten what it means to be professional. We have allowed each other to become lazy, as what was once considered to be rude behavior has slowly become acceptable.”

Generations Y and X have been criticized for similar behaviors. Where do you suppose they learned these behaviors from?

Biro referred to a term coined by Dov Seidman in his book How: Why How We Do Anythig Means Everything in Business - “out-behaving the competition.” He believes that those who treat others with respect and dignity will prevail. It matters! 

Phyllis Weiss Haserot       www.pdcounsel.com