The Unwritten Laws of Engineering

This article discusses tips for engineers about personal and professional behavior in the workplace. It is important to cultivate the ability to appreciate the good qualities, rather than dislike the shortcomings, of each individual. Engineers should not give vent to impatience and annoyance on slight provocation. Some offensive individuals seem to develop a striking capacity for becoming annoyed, which they indulge with little or no restraint. Engineers should not harbor grudges after disagreements involving honest differences of opinion. They should develop the habit of considering the feelings and interests of others, and should never become unduly preoccupied with their own selfish interests. It is also important for engineers to put themselves out just a little to be genuinely cordial in greeting people. True cordiality is spontaneous and should never be affected, but neither should it be inhibited. Mutual distrust and suspicion generate a great deal of unnecessary friction, and therefore people should be given the benefit of the doubt.