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It’s Monday morning, and you're finally making a dent in your to‑do list. Then you get pinged for an unscheduled Zoom meeting. In 10 minutes. You glance around your room, surveying the pile of laundry on your chair, realizing you're still in your PJs — and you forgot to update your software last week. You hop on the call with your camera off, feeling frazzled and hoping your audio doesn't glitch out. Video meetings move fast, and impressions form faster. Here are seven habits

'Tis the season! The holidays are around the corner. Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for your boss? Yes, your boss. In today’s modern business world, it’s possible to buy your boss a holiday gift without appearing desperate – or worse, if you consider a few tips.  At Spencer Crane Etiquette, we show the young professional how modern business etiquette can boost her confidence and give her an edge over the competition. Before deciding what to buy your boss, conside

Updated: 1/31/26 We all know that life can happen at the most inconvenient times. You spill coffee on your shirt just as you're headed out the door. You get an important call from a client right before your Zoom meeting is scheduled to begin. Everyone has those human moments, and we typically give grace to one another for situations out of our control. But, being habitually late is another matter. As harsh as it may sound, habitual lateness at work can affect how colleagues a

Are you a newbie wondering how to get a competitive edge at work? If so, consider two words: first impressions. First impressions are critical to how you are perceived and can play a significant part in you being seen as a leader and reaching the next level in your career. According to body language experts, not only are first impressions created in the blink of an eye, they are lasting. Studies show that once formed, a good (or bad!) impression can last for months. Here are

Open-concept workspaces are practical and affordable. Whether you work remotely or frequently travel, an open workspace in a co-working facility can offer you the convenience of a professional office when you need it without the burden and cost of maintaining a private office. While these are great benefits, sharing a workspace with strangers can be challenging. Here are some tips to consider that should help keep your fellow tenants happy with you: Follow Traditional Workpl

We spend a lot of time at work, so it is only natural to develop friendships with colleagues and bosses. But workplace friendships are different from the friendships in our personal lives. And not understanding the difference between the two can spell trouble at work. So how do you build friendships at work without damaging your reputation and career? The honest answer is that it takes time and effort to build positive friendships at work. These key workplace friendship tip

Being a temporary legal professional is hard work. Anyone who has ever done it, myself included, will tell you that. Consider that as the perpetual new kid on the block (be prepared for your new workplace nickname - "The Temp") you are constantly under scrutiny: every interaction is an interview and every assignment is a potential referendum on your abilities.  Your skills are often underutilized because no one cares that you have a law degree or that you are an e-discovery w

"Are you pregnant?" Many moons ago, I blurted those inappropriate words to a colleague as she washed her hands in the office bathroom. As I glanced at her reflection in the mirror, I noticed a tiny bump, and without thinking, I asked if she were pregnant. She smiled and said yes, pleased that I could tell. I congratulated her warmly. She beamed. I was lucky. The situation turned out well, but it could have easily turned ugly. What if she didn't want to talk about it? What if

It is office holiday party season.  Finally, an opportunity to throw off those boring work clothes, forget about those pesky business etiquette rules and let the real you out! Just kidding. (And if you didn’t catch the joke…I highly recommend that you continue reading.) Seriously, have a great time – mingle, laugh and if you please, even imbibe a little, but never forget, you are at work. Even if the boss takes everyone on a trip to Hawaii or rents Malfoy Manor, you are stil

"Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners." Laurence Sterne As I sat down to write this business etiquette blog for The Estrin Report, I wondered, are good manners a requirement for business success? Not surprisingly, the answer is an unequivocal no. Anyone who has worked in corporate America can effortlessly think of at least two people who are rude and inconsiderate, but who are nevertheless wildly rich and successful. What is the poin