Where are your manners?

Whether you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or working in corporate America, manners go a long way.

It is sad to say that in today’s time, the fast-paced busyness has overcome common courtesy many times. The digital world has overrun our thoughts, feeling, and most importantly our manners.

I remember between the ages of 5 and 17, I could not enter a room full of adults without saying some form of salutation. If I did not do that, I would get those, Whose child are you? And if they don’t whup you, I will! looks on their faces. Respect for elders does not seem to hold much weight as it used to. Children realize things called, “choices and options” at a very young age. The “independent” mindset does not need to be eradicated whatsoever, but compassion and manners need to become a priority.

Knowing that you have the choice to be anything in life is great but creating the steps to get there is another thing. My observation is during the process of growing a business, we should have respect for everyone we meet because you do not know who your next client nor potential business partner will be. It is a big hit to your business when someone remembers your ignorant post with racial slurs on Facebook or Twitter and they will shine the light on your wrongdoing and now your entire company is scarred.

Sometimes we forget that the next person is a human being and we are so caught up in ourselves that we miss the opportunity to bless other people with sheer kindness. The sad reality is that selfish people will have no regard for other no matter how cordial you are toward them. The best way to handle selfish people is to stay true to yourself and do not argue to get caught up in their world. Remember, a selfish man’s/woman’s world only revolves around them. While it is good that we have normal levels of self-love, self-value, and self-confidence. Anything beyond the normal levels of selfishness is a recipe for failure dipped in narcissism.

The key to having manners is to interact with people to make understandable and nonconflicting conversations. Have you ever tried to concentrate in a conversation when the other speaker was rude and obnoxious? It is terribly difficult to listen to what they are saying because you are focusing on their negative behavior. It is even worst trying to do business or consider a partnership with someone who may jeopardize future business relationships with clients.

To this day, manners go a long way. In the business world, it is referred to as business etiquette. You should go the extra mile of developing a set of manners that create a professional, mutually respectful atmosphere and improves communication. The workplace will not have any trouble with productivity if everyone feels respected and that leaks into positive customer relationships as well. So consider these questions and keep them with you to track your improvements:

• How do you treat clients or customers?
• How do you treat your coworkers or supervisor?
• How do you conduct yourself in the workplace?
• What kind of emails do you send?
• How do you conduct yourself during conference events?
• How do you conduct yourself during training events?
• How do you conduct yourself on the telephone?
• How do you conduct yourself on all your social media platforms?

Improving business etiquette will have a positive impact on your career or in your business. The important thing is to remember “others” first when you are using common courtesy. If we need a refresher on common courtesy then here is a list:

• Using please and thank you when needed
• Greeting everyone in the room when you enter and when you exit
• Addressing people appropriately using Mr., Mrs., or Miss unless they request otherwise
• Speaking clearly and distinctly to avoid miscommunication
• Always maintain eye contact
• Always remember to smile
• Offer a firm handshake when meeting people if necessary
• Write a thank-you note and/or letter of appreciation, recommendation, congratulation, and condolence as appropriate.
• Monitor nonverbal messages. You may be giving a compliment but your face says otherwise.

We teach our children manners from a young age, but along the journey, kids watch how adults interact. If there is no mutual respect between adults, then what does that say to the kids? Believe it or not, you are teaching your child how to talk to people and conduct business from what you do every day, not just by what you say. It is more vital now to teach our children manners because the digital world has sucked away proper face-to-face communication.

In order to brush up on business etiquette skills and pass those along to your children, you should consider the following:

• Join a professional organization. The only to practice speaking to people is to put yourself around people constantly. If you are anxious in a crowd then join a small group and practice your etiquette skills. This is also a great way to network.
• Visit a local library. There are numerous books on business etiquette and self-improvement. Plan a day to curl up with a book and read.
• Online workshops. There are workshops for everything and many offer free advice on how to improve your business etiquette.

We could all use improvement in the way we talk, use nonverbal gestures, and treat people. These are very important because they leave a lasting impression. The last thing you want is for someone to discontinue doing business with you because you were a jerk. People can lose respect for you and your point of view. And the worst part is that you made it easy for them.