Are you tempted to jump the queue? Do you lower your car window glass and throw out trash? Are you tempted to drive on the road shoulder? Do you overspeed on an empty highway? Do you smoke in a no-smoking area? Do you speak loudly in a public place? Do you make political or ethnic statements at the workplace or other professional forums?

These foibles may look innocuous, and you may get away with them. However, you may unwittingly be opening up some weaknesses in your personality or the collective social personality of the community you belong to. These behavioral traits set the wrong precedence in your social and professional community. They could send wrong signals, which may be damaging to us and our social and professional group. Many times it is the lack of mind control that prompts us to take the easy way out. Sometimes, the environment around you makes you do it since breaking the law may be viewed as a heroic act among some groups. A false sense of pride makes us give in to temptation.

If you hold a position of high esteem, you may be setting a wrong precedence. The first one to imitate you will be your family members, especially your children. Your friends, subordinates, and peers who look up to you for guidance may follow suit. There will be a chain reaction, and bad habits spread like a virus.

Technology is shrinking the world into a global village, and cultural integration is taking place at an accelerated pace. The spurt in trans-border trade and commerce, specialization of skills, outsourcing of services, and growth of the tourism industry are all acting as catalysts for this fusion of cultures. In order to sustain and grow in this new world order, it is important for organizations, communities, and individuals to comply with global best practices in civic behavior. We have to make a conscious effort to understand, learn, and comply with the accepted global code of conduct. It is not just enough that we comply with ISO, HIPA, or SOX guidelines in our organizations. We must also take care while greeting people, adhering to timelines, making commitments, disclosing information, communicating while attending meetings, discussions, seminars, etc. We have to constantly interact with customers, suppliers, principals, and bosses. Failure in complicity makes you vulnerable, especially in our professional circles. We may be perceived as pliable, crass, weak, and unreliable persons. Our credibility, respectability, and brand value in professional life will stand in good stead if we follow universally accepted social etiquette.

Another study published by one of the leading business schools revealed that only one in 10 graduates from Asian countries meets the necessary social awareness standards and skills for getting employed in MNCs. Leading MNCs have included a social code of conduct in their regular training programs. Recently, an organization called “Business for Diplomatic Action” in the USA has published a set of guidelines for proper ways of behaving for US citizens when visiting countries outside the US.

Any ambitious executive yearning for success and growth in life should put in conscious efforts to improve his/her personality and the “collective social personality.” Self-help books, joining reputed professional clubs, attending leadership and personality development courses will be of great help.