6 Things You Don't Have to Do at Work

Like most of us, my voice on the telephone is not my real voice. While rattling off, "Leigh Newman speaking," I sound crisp, glossy and professional. This is a good thing. It lets callers know that they've arrived at a place of business, not at Big Eddie's House of Hooligans. But every now and then, at big meetings, I've notice that my colleagues and I also use those same bright, smooth modulations—especially when we’re debating a point. Our impulse is natural, no doubt. We’re reminding each other that we're at the office, not at Big Eddie’s House of Hooligans or even at the cafeteria downstairs. But it also adds a layer of Smiley Stewardess to the proceedings. Granted, nobody needs to bellow or rant to coworkers, but raising your pitch with delight, lowering it with disappointment or disagreement, talking to people as the person you are does the same thing at the office that it does anywhere else—earn you trust and respect.