Developing Corporate Behaviour

How to Build Professional Behaviour for a Successful Career

Corporate behavior plays a vital role in shaping a company’s productivity, reputation, and long-term success. Positive behavior can propel a company forward, boosting efficiency and creating a positive workplace culture, while poor behavior can quickly lead to declining productivity and tarnished reputations.

For students transitioning from campus to corporate life, developing the right corporate behavior is critical to laying the foundation for a successful career. Understanding and adopting these behaviors from day one can set them apart in a competitive corporate environment.

Here, we highlight three key corporate behaviors that students should cultivate as they embark on their professional journey.

1. Understanding Managerial Structure

The managerial structure of a company determines how teams are organized and managed. As a new entrant to the workforce, you’ll encounter various management styles and colleagues with different levels of competence. While having an ineffective boss or team can be challenging, thriving in a corporate environment means learning how to navigate these dynamics.

Here are three key qualities to develop:

• Leadership Skills: It’s essential to understand how to communicate effectively and work collaboratively. Constructive criticism from seniors is a valuable learning opportunity—use it to enhance your skills and performance.
• Departmental Knowledge: Have a clear understanding of your role within the department. Know the key tasks you are responsible for and how your contributions align with the department’s objectives.
• Company Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with the company’s products or services, its goals, values, and future plans. Being informed about the company’s direction demonstrates your commitment and readiness to contribute to its success.

2. Embracing Values and Ethics

Values and ethics are at the core of professional behavior. They not only shape individual conduct but also contribute to the company’s overall culture and reputation.

Values are standards that guide behavior. They can be divided into two categories:

• Terminal Values: Long-term life goals, such as wisdom, self-esteem, or personal fulfillment.
• Instrumental Values: Behaviours used to achieve terminal values, such as being responsible, independent, and respectful.

For instance, if your goal (terminal value) is to achieve success in business, then hard work (instrumental value) is the behavior that will help you get there.

Ethics are the moral principles that guide behavior in the workplace. Some examples of ethical behavior include:

          •         Honesty

          •         Integrity

          •         Loyalty

          •         Accountability

          •         Respectability

While values help you achieve personal or professional goals, ethics represent the moral standards that govern day-to-day behavior. Upholding strong ethics is essential for building trust and maintaining positive relationships in the workplace.

3. Mastering Effective Communication

Clear and effective communication is the backbone of any successful business. When employees communicate well, they create an environment where ideas are shared freely, collaboration thrives, and projects move forward smoothly. Poor communication, on the other hand, can lead to misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and strained relationships.

Here are some strategies to improve communication in a corporate setting:

• Observe First: Take time to observe how communication works in your company. Notice the tone, formality, and preferred communication channels (email, instant messaging, or meetings).
• Adapt to the Environment: Start with a formal tone in your communications until you understand the workplace culture. Avoid using overly casual language unless it’s the norm in your organization.
• Be Clear and Concise: Corporate professionals are often pressed for time. Make sure your messages are clear, focused, and to the point. Avoid long-winded explanations unless necessary.
• Organize Your Thoughts: Structure your communication logically. Whether you’re writing an email or speaking in a meeting, ensure your points are well-organized to convey your message effectively.
• Seek Clarification: If you don’t understand something, ask questions. It’s better to clarify than to make assumptions that could lead to mistakes.
• Practice Empathy: Consider your colleagues’ perspectives and emotions in both written and verbal communication. A little empathy goes a long way in fostering positive relationships and ensuring smooth interactions.

Conclusion

Building corporate behavior is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, adaptability, and a commitment to personal growth. By understanding managerial structures, embracing strong values and ethics, and mastering communication, students transitioning to corporate life can pave the way for long-term success and professional development.

To know more about Building Corporate Behaviour, reach out to us…

Recommended Reading

1. Connors, Roger (2012), Change the Culture, Change the Game: The Breakthrough Strategy for Energizing Your Organization and Creating Accountability for Results
2. Connors, Roger (2011), How Did That Happen? Holding People Accountable for Results a Positive, Principled Way
3. Glaser, Judith E. (2007), Creating We: Change I-Thinking to We-Thinking and Build a Healthy, Thriving Organization
4. Glaser, Judith E. (2012), 42 Rules for Creating We: A Hands-On, Practical Approach to Organizational Development, Change and Leadership Best Practices
5. Silberman, Mel (2002), The Consultant’s Big Book of Organization Development Tools: 50 Reproducible Intervention Tools to Help Solve Your Clients’ Problems