I hear the word "entitled" as a way to describe someone negatively. An entitled person is to be avoided. You don’t want an entitled person on your team. I hear folks use the word to describe an entire generation (millennials, for example). It is unfair to categorize a group of people in such a way, and we still judge people on their behavior. So what does it mean to be entitled? Can you avoid giving that impression?

Try some (or all) of the following behaviors to avoid the label “entitled”.

Offer for someone else to go first. In many cases, being first entitles you to the first choice or best option. Whether it is giving credit, or simply queuing up to get lunch, offer for someone else to go first. An entitled person will take care of themselves first.

When you want someone to do something for you — ask, don’t tell. Use common courtesy like “please” and “thank you” to show appreciation. This guidance is especially true when you are in a position of authority where you could just tell someone what to do. They will appreciate the effort you make to avoid leveraging your authority.

Say “thank you” when someone helps you. People around you are probably always doing something that benefits you. There is no cost to expressing appreciation. A simple “thank you” verbalizes and acknowledges that you are aware and appreciative. An entitled person doesn’t express appreciation when someone helps them.

Offer to help others. Don’t simply look to help yourself. See ways to help others and verbalize your willingness to help them. A simple “May I help you with that?” or “Would you like help?” demonstrates that you are willing to put that person’s needs ahead of your own. An entitled person doesn’t look for opportunities to help others.

Take time to understand someone else’s agenda. Ask your colleagues about their priorities and goals. Learn what others want to accomplish, and what struggles they have at work. Set your own agenda aside to hear another person’s point of view. An entitled person acts as though their agenda is most important.

Communicate when you are running late. We all have things happen in our lives that make us unable to arrive on-time. Show respect for other people’s time by communicating when you will be late (and maybe apologizing if it means you won’t accomplish what you intended to accomplish in the meeting). An entitled person doesn’t communicate when they know they will be late, they simply show up when they can and assume the other parties will understand.

Seek opportunities to compromise. There are plenty of disagreements and different points of view in work. Conflict is ever present. Avoid thinking in terms of winning and losing, or getting your way. Find opportunities to give on some of what you want in order to meet in the middle. An entitled person wants to win at any cost and avoids giving any ground from their position.