Management Consultant, Michael Wade, has written a dandy guide for anyone who works around other people.  His book, All I Said Was. . .  (subtitled: What Every Supervisor, Employee, and Team Should Know to Avoid Insults, Lawsuits, and the Six O'Clock News) reminds me alot of a workplace version of George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour.

Here's how:  Washington's 110 Rules were based on good sense and decorum.  If one were to follow them, no one would be the worse and a great many would be better.  Examples from Washington:

"If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but privately; and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face and turn aside."

"Speak not injurious words, neither in jest or earnest; scoff at none although they give you occasion."

"When another speaks be attentive yourself and disturb not the audience; if any hesitates in his words, help him not, nor prompt him without desired; interrupt him not nor answer him till his speech be ended."

Fast forward 264 years and alot has changed.  Or has it?  We still need guys like Wade to remind us:

"Since 'not interrupting' is not a communication sin and interrupting may be, the safest approach is to avoid interrupting and accept silence [gaps in speech].  Not every conversational gap needs to be filled.  Listening means absorbing the other person's message and not silently preparing your response." (I often need to see this one taped up in my office.)

Of course, Washington could have never envisioned the need for this advice:

"Do not underestimate the irritation level of people who are subjected to listening to another person talk on a cell phone."

 I wonder what the Father of our Country would have thought if his comments were interrupted by a ringtone of Jason Derulo's "Ridin Solo", followed by his Secretary of State digging in his pocket, staring at the mini screen and proclaiming more than asking "Oh, can I take this?  I think it's Lafayette. . .Yo. Gil. 'sup?. . .tell me about it. . .hot here too. . ."

And so we have Michael Wade to whisper in our ear that you don't do that kind of thing.  It shouldn't necessarily need to be said, but daily observation demonstrates that to wishful thinking.  All I Said. . .includes 88 very good pieces of workplace diplomacy advice on subjects as wide-ranging as harassment and gossip to religion, cheap shots and joking.  It is well-written and won't strip the workplace of character.  Wade's advice isn't the type that urges an end to joking or discussion and can so often undermine an effective work environment. 

But there is a middle ground between the behavior exhibited in virtually every episode of "The Office" and a lifeless, politically correct day-station.  "Discretion is an underrated virtue," writes Wade.  "We need more people in the workplace who are willing to embrace the beauty of an unexpressed thought."

I submit that we need more people to heed Wade's advice.  Buy the book, pass it around to your supervisors, managers, directors and anyone you want to help along in the often landmine-riddled terrain that can be the modern office.