Over the past several years, many leaders have noticed a subtle but meaningful shift inside their organizations: the erosion of basic workplace courtesies, particularly from younger employees new to the professional workplace. Not misconduct; not ethical lapses. But something more subtle. Employees announcing time off instead of requesting it. Cameras off in meetings. Missed meetings treated casually. Messages left unanswered for a day or more. Delegating up.

Matt Kirchner addresses these patterns directly, sharing firsthand stories from his own companies and examining what has changed in professional norms, and why.

This is not a critique of younger employees. We're all for promoting emerging leaders and believe early-career professionals bring energy, ambition, and a willingness to attempt what others might dismiss. But many of these individuals also entered the workforce after losing formative years of in-person education, internships, and social development during COVID-era isolation. As a result, expectations that once felt intuitive often now require explicit instruction.

This episode explores specific areas where standards are slipping and explains how organizations can reestablish expectations without embarrassment or blame. Matt closes with a practical framework for addressing unprofessional behavior consistently and constructively, with the goal of strengthening culture rather than policing it.

Listen to Learn:

• The workplace behaviors that are quietly reshaping organizational culture
• How pandemic disruptions affected professional social development
• Why virtual meeting norms have outsized cultural impact
• What “delegating up” reveals about accountability and ownership
• A structured approach for restoring workplace standards without alienating newer employees

Resources in this Episode:
Read the article in Products Finishing: "Relearning Common Courtesies in the Workplace"

Follow Matt on LinkedIn

View more resources on the episode page!

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