The Native American workplace is often identified as having a very casual work atmosphere. For most Native businesses and organizations, dress requirements and workplace etiquette are not strongly enforced.

As Natives, we are most comfortable with ordinary attire and simple work rules. This may be fine for some organizations, however in the competitive business environment, professional image and proper business mannerism can help support a business or organization’s success.

Professionalism is how you behave in your professional role, how you conduct yourself and the image you portray to your co-workers, your clients/customers and to the world. It is not only about manners and dress, but about showing who you are, your values, and how you feel about the role you are in. Native Americans have always been respectful. Our culture teaches us appropriate behavior, for example: What to wear or use in ceremony, how to treat elder members, how to interact with our environment; we have always had rules and protocol to follow.

Professional behavior and image in today’s Native workplace involves not only dressing appropriately but about exhibiting behaviors that reflect pride and confidence in your role as an American Indian professional. What you wear, how you carry yourself, what you say, what you do, and how others interpret that can impact your effectiveness and personal success.

An old “I love frybread” T-shirt and faded jeans, might be completely expectable attire in some work environments, but think about the many messages it sends? Respectful dress is an opportunity to say that you are a professional and that you take your job seriously. Many organizations are implementing dress codes, or required attire, like uniforms – this seems to help clarify personnel roles while promoting professionalism among employees. However, it may not be the answer for all businesses and organizations, but encouraging employees to think about their dress and appearance might make a difference in promoting a professional image for your organization in general.

Dress and appearance is not the only opportunity you have to promote your image as a respectable professional, you must consider other things such as workplace mannerisms. This can include returning timely messages, good grammar, the use of proper language, being patient and respectful with clients and customers. Most of us are familiar with appropriate behaviors. Think about how you feel entering a workplace where gum-smacking, soda-slurping employees ignore your presence while they catch up on weekend events with their friends and co-workers. What are they saying about themselves with this behavior? What are they saying about you?

Displaying and encouraging polite and respectable behavior in the workplace is not only culturally conducive, but can also benefit in many other ways. It can help improve chances for personal success, and most importantly, support the effectiveness of our Native businesses and organizations. You carry the responsibility of representing, not only your workplace, but your community, your family and in many cases your whole tribal nation. Considering that, it might be worth the extra effort to improve our professionalism.