With the rise of social media, text messaging, status updates, and life lived at 140 characters, do manners still matter? Of course! In fact, modern manners in a digital age are a wonderful way to connect with people in an honest, meaningful way. They also lend an undeniable professionalism to your communication with others, online and in-person. But we return again to the question originally posed, “Why does this matter?”
Today’s professionals are expected to possess the skill and savvy needed to thrive in business environments that are both traditional and digital. Not only are you learning to adapt to new realities, e.g. multi-generational and multi-cultural workplaces, you are also navigating the 24/7 demands of world that is always online. Modern manners give you a helpful framework of thinking through how and when to initiate conversation and respond to feedback!
Additional skills which are proving more and more valuable now include: Knowing how to interact with others in a professional manner, whether at a networking event, Tweetup, Meetup, or cocktail party. Add in the standard expectation of how to effectively communicate via email, text message, direct message, plus social media, and you can quickly feel overwhelmed by the responsibility!
To succeed in today’s economy, you have to learn how to leverage proven business and social tactics, while actively augmenting our skill sets to include the requirements of an online world. When over 2 zettabytes (1 zetabyte = 1 trillion gigabytes) of information is created each year, the ability to quickly adapt and apply your skills will become of higher value to your personal and professional brand.
What can you do?
Modern manners create a distinct social advantage for those who leverage their power. When so much information is generated by memes, poor grammar, and heated opinions, people and brands who communicate with kindness and openness will stand out. The more the world comes online, the greater your social status will be if you connect through relationships and respect.
