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The sense of dignified is having or showing worth, nobility or self respect.

Dignity, like obscenity or a unitard, is hard to define but you know it when you see it.

Get down being stately in front of a mirror when you are unattended, and then show your friends the "new you." As soon as you are comfortable with your new public persona, take it with you thoroughly.

Here are 5 steps to up your Personality Dignity Quotient (PDQ) in the workplace:

Refrain taking personal Issues to work

Noisy, personal phone calls have no place in the workplace. If you are having a conflict, begging pardon or feeling obliged to make "kissy" noises into the receiver, take it outside on your mobile.

Likewise, cautiously consider the potential impact on your career before beginning a relationship with a coworker. If there is a nasty breakup, you may suffer the indignity of people in the office knowing personal details you would rather keep private.

Don't be a complainer

If you are persistently requesting your boss for time off or to cut you some slack on a project deadline, he will dislike you and it will adversely affect your career and your self-respect.

Whiners and prolonged complainers do not get promoted - their bosses set up for lateral transfers to get free of them. You want your boss as an ally, not an enemy, so make sure you don't cause him frustration and vexation. Evaluate twice about approaching him with every concern. Hold your dignity by making decisions that are within your area of responsibility without bugging the boss for validation or praise.

Don't get reputation as party animal

It is all right to have fun at happy hour and office social functions, but go casual on your liquor consumption. Decorum equals dignity.

Making people laugh is a great trait when you are giving a speech or making a presentation, but if you become known in the office for being a joker or buffoon, you will never be taken earnestly and you will lose your sense of self-respect, as well as the respect of your coworkers.

Make sure working conditions are adequate

You are eligible to reasonable pay and suitable, safe working conditions. Withstand your rights and never swap your self-esteem for a paycheck.

Similarly, never be afraid to ask your boss for something important to you, like adaptable hours, a reduced work week or occasional days for work at home. Be assertive, not aggressive, and emphasize the benefits to the company. Increase the likelihood that your proposal will be considered by presenting your request with respect for your boss and self-dignity.

Curb annoyance & control your emotions

It is regular to feel disappointed, annoyed and upset when a colleague misses a deadline and it impacts your project, but how you react to the situation will affect people's perceptions of you.

If you have a short fuse, be particularly cognizant of rising ire so you don't explode. Maintain your dignity by keeping your emotions in check. If you do or say something you should not, be quick and heartfelt with your apology to salvage your reputation.

Don't always follow the crowd

Get together and cooperate, but don't let yourself be used. You will lose respect and dignity if you let your colleagues to dump all the work on you while they relish in the glory of your job well done.

Never be afraid to exercise your freedom. Always measure the pros and cons before committing yourself to joining others in support of their own agendas.

-Sowmya Sangam