Are you serious?

Have you ever had a niggling feeling that people were sniggering behind your back at the office? Have you ever had the boss pass you over at brain storming sessions? Do none of your colleagues ask you to pitch in for a project? Are you always assigned 'no brainer' tasks?



If you answered 'Yes!' to all of the above, then you are certainly not been taken seriously by your colleagues or your superiors. Sometimes, these could also be signs that your days at the workplace may be numbered. Here are some of the factors that could be contributing to your malaise, and tips to try and improve on them:

Dress
While the racist and sexist clich ufffds have no place in the workplace, there is bound to be perception and categorisation of a person based on dress. If you are violating the official dress code -- going off the formal path, sporting a scruffy look (in case of guys) or being styled like a bimbette (in case of gals), you really can't blame others for not taking you seriously. Ideally, find out what is the appropriate dress code at your office, emulate your seniors and if you are in doubt about particular a apparel, don't wear it!

Emotional quotient
It's good to want to bond with your colleagues, but this does not mean that you are sharing all your woes with them. No one wants to know about the fight you had with your spouse! Also, if you regularly turn on the tears, it's just going to put everyone off. No one can take a person who cries and cribs seriously - keep that for your shrink!

Body language
Slouching, shrugging, tilting your head, all these body language signs show a person who is weak and therefore unreliable. This is not the image you want to portray in the workplace if you want people to take you seriously. Moreover, if you speak with uncertainty or raise the pitch of your voice, it's likely to be seen a lack of conviction in what you are saying. Make sure you sit upright, don't allow interruptions when you are speaking and convey your point succinctly.

Apple polisher
If you are playing at being the office 'Yes Man', it's not going to get you far, not even with the superior are sucking up to. Your colleagues will steer clear of you and most will assume that you don't have a single original thought or idea in your head. Besides, your boss will soon catch on your patronising ways and you may find yourself at sea without an oar!

Failure to launch
Most companies like people who are self-starters, they really do not have time to spare for training or hand-holding. Also, if you don't upgrade and keep yourself informed about the new progresses being made in your company or domain industry, you may just find being left out of most serious discussions at the office. This could also have a domino effect of your being regaled to just repetitive, mindless tasks. Keep yourself updated, improve your effectiveness and deliver on time if you want to be taken seriously.

There are other factors also that prevent your colleagues from taking you seriously -- use of profane language, gossiping about your co-workers, talking without thinking or talking too much are just a few of them. Also, remember to be wary about whom you befriend at the workplace -- the adage 'birds of a feather, flock together,' may just work to your disadvantage!