Your 2022 Guide to Business Etiquette

If 2021 was “a year of transition” as McKinsey says, then 2022 will be the year of resilient operations for professionals in all industries.

While you may recognize the idea behind resilient operations from supply chain management, it’s also an apt way to describe the way we’ve all come to work in the midst of a global public health crisis.

As many professionals begin to feel some mastery of how to work through shifting mask mandates and quarantine periods, the key to success is being flexible, adaptable, and ultimately putting people (including ourselves) first.

While it may seem absurd to make predictions about what office life will look like in six or 12 months, the one thing we can count on is that it will look different. Those who prepare their workplaces and their employees for near-term pivots will be better positioned to weather whatever comes next.

To help you get your start, here are the new and rising norms to watch as you navigate the changes the year ahead may bring.

In-Person Meetings Are Back and So Is Overcommunication

In many parts of the country, private companies are back in the office, and many more professionals (and clients) are game to meet up in person when it’s time to schedule a meeting.

But with the increased availability of this option comes a renewed imperative to over communicate needs expectations. To this end:

  • Send clear guidelines around any vaccine and mask requirements in the space where you plan to meet in advance.

  • If the restaurant or office requires that guests fill out a pre-screening questionnaire or provide proof of vaccination, include this information in your invitation.

  • If you’re eager to return to face-to-face communications, prepare to offer accommodations or alternatives to those who may have different health needs.

  • If you’re not comfortable meeting in person, be ready to say no and offer an alternative.

The New Standard for Purposeful Communication: Don’t Default Video Calls

For those who are back in the office, drop-in meetings with colleagues are possible again. But even if you’re in a hybrid work environment or your team is fully distributed, you have options for how to communicate with your colleagues.

So, in 2022, you can expect to spend less time on video calls and more time communicating the old fashioned way as many professionals return to phone calls and email to combat Zoom fatigue. This doesn’t mean that video conferencing will stop being part of your daily workflow. However, you can expect to do more communication with your camera off.

Emotional Intelligence and Empathy Take a Front Seat

As this pandemic continues into its third year, the challenges we all face are evolving and so are attitudes toward mental wellness in the workplace.

Whether you find yourself booking a recurring meeting with a telehealth therapist or you’re a manager that opts to dedicate the start of every one-on-one meeting to sincerely asking how things are going, make time for feelings in the workplace.


Be ready to accommodate colleagues and clients, and don’t be afraid to ask for the accommodations you need, even if that means rescheduling a call for another day.

Rededicate Yourself to Networking in 2022

If you’ve put off making time to grow your professional network over the past two years, it’s time to dust off your business cards. (Hopefully not literally.)

In-person networking events are back in many cities and with the Great Resignation underway, many job seekers are eager to engage with their contacts with renewed interest again.

So, make time. Even if that just means reaching out to one LinkedIn contact a day to start a conversation, get back out there and participate.

Hybrid Work Will Continue to Dominate the Professional Landscape

In mid-December, the New York Times announced the end of Return to Office plans, but that doesn’t mean folks aren’t going back into offices.

In the year ahead, rather than looking for ways to get everyone back into the same building five days each week, employers will focus on building resilient operations plans. For many, this means adopting or improving upon their hybrid work set-ups.

To this end, we’ll continue to see office furnishings like standing desks dominate the retail space as consumers and employers continue to make changes to optimize the work environment. Professionals will make quality upgrades like improved lighting and auxiliary webcams so that wherever they’re working from, it has the same look and feel in a digital format.

It’s now normal to talk to your employer or employees about what equipment you need to succeed in the places where you work. Remember that they may not have visibility into your needs – and the onus of asking for what you need is squarely on you.

A Return to Private Office Space

In homes and in downtown buildings, private office space will continue to be a popular option for professionals who need to get things done and keep their work lives in balance.

As the office becomes a destination for productivity and collaboration for more professionals, you may be ready to seek out your own private office space or have the chance to visit with others. In a hybrid climate, don’t be afraid to explore your options.

While this may seem like a sensitive subject to broach with your staff or employer, it's a conversation people expect to have today and as the pandemic evolves, so do people’s expectations.

Keep checking in with your staff and colleagues to ensure that your office, hybrid, or distributed setting is still working for them. If you need to make changes, don’t wait.

If you’re looking for a secure, private office space, book a tour to check out the Firmspace in your city.


Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

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