diplomacy Archives - Professional Courtesy, LLC

Be Kind to Everyone

February 20, 2015 by procourtesy

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Remember when your mother used to tell you to “mind your manners” when you left the house. Well, maybe your mother didn’t, but mine did. Those manners to be minded weren’t just about saying please and thank you or chewing with your mouth closed. They were about the way we treat people and the importance of being kind to everyone.

One Londoner got a big surprise after he told someone to #%&! himself on a crowded subway ride later to find out that that same man was the person who was interviewing him for a job. Needless to say, the rude man did not get the job. Read more…http://mashable.com/2015/02/20/london-commuter-job-interview/

The way we treat all people is very telling about our character. And it isn’t just the people we think matter…it’s everyone. In fact, for me, it is a real measuring stick about an individual. If they use the right fork at dinner, but are rude to the wait staff, they don’t win any points with me.

So, here are some of my tips are how to treat everyone with respect:

Don’t swear at people, even if you feel like it. To swear at people, any people, is a sign you lack self-control.

Be kind and respectful to wait staff and people in service positions. It may be their job to serve you, but it isn’t their job to take your abuse.

Smile and be polite to the receptionist in any situation, but especially going in for job interviews. Her boss may be asking her later how you treated her.

Control the road rage. You never know who you might be flipping off or shouting at.

Be kind, even if people are unkind to you. Returning rudeness with rudeness is a no win situation. And it says you are rude too.

So, the next time you feel like screaming at someone, take the high road and remember, diplomacy is an art. And being kind is the right thing to do.

Teach Respect and Give Respect

May 12, 2014 by procourtesy

Give Respect to Earn Respect words on a button to show the cycle of winning reverence, honor and trust of others

Teach Respect and Give Respect
I am always disappointed when I read snarky, rude responses and comments on social media sites. I think it is bad form and unprofessional. There are ways to comment and disagree without vulgar language and insulting tirades. The old maxim, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all,” is worth considering before you post a response that is public and has the power to come back and bite you. But there is nothing more distressing for me, as an etiquette and protocol consultant, than to see this bad behavior coming from other people who consider themselves professionals in our industry.

I have noticed over the past months, with the increase in organized groups on LinkedIn for etiquette trainers that there is a distinct lack of civility in responses from some who comment in some of those groups; something I think is quite distressing, especially for people who are suppose to be teaching others how to be more civilized.

Certainly, not all of the responders are to blame, but I do have trouble with other etiquette trainers calling people out in a rude fashion who have posted something they don’t agree with, especially when it is some point of minutia.

Since the rules of etiquette are suppose to be rooted in consideration for others, I find it difficult to tolerate those who would berate someone because they don’t agree with where they put the napkin when they leave the table temporarily. It is the kind of thing that gives etiquette trainers a bad name- suggesting that we focus on the rule and not the reason behind it. I think those of us who were well trained by reputable organizations, can agree to disagree, on a few points based on where we live and the cultures in which we teach. There are differences to be sure.

When I teach dining etiquette to any group I often say,”if you used the right fork, but were rude to the wait staff, you’ve missed my message.” It’s not about the fork!

So, here are some of my tips for people in our industry to make us more civilized and diplomatic:

Disagree diplomatically anytime, but especially on social media.

Be happy for other people’s successes in our industry.
Make friends with your competition. There is enough business out there for all of us.
If people share your info on social media, share theirs in return.
Find out who’s out there doing what you do. Networking is a good thing in any arena.
Give credit where credit is due.

But most of all, practice what we preach. Let’s get over ourselves, stop the pretense and exhibit some civility toward one another. If you can’t and don’t, I question whether you should call yourself a professional and whether you should align yourself with some of the other fine people out there doing some great things in our industry.

As for me commenting and joining those groups, I have stopped joining them and commenting…not because I don’t admire some of the people who have started the groups, but because I don’t want to be associated with some of those who comment in a way that I don’t admire.

Today, starts the beginning of National Etiquette Week so, let’s all get on board and demonstrate what we say we are all about.

Are You A Real Health Care Professional?

July 19, 2013 by procourtesy

Are You a Real Health care Professional?
The healthcare arena today, has workers with many different levels of education. However, regardless of the letters after your name, there are certain skills that everyone should have in order to be perceived as a “professional” health care worker. While the technical skills are necessary to deliver competent care to a patient, the soft skills are the skills that set you apart. Not developing those skills can make you less effective as a caregiver and co-worker and tarnish the title, “professional.”

Patients assume you know how to do your job in the clinical sense, but it is how you deliver that care that makes all of the difference in their perception of the care they receive.

Take a step back and ask yourself some questions about how you conduct yourself when caring for patients and working with others.

Am I giving my patients my undivided attention immediately upon seeing them?
Do I introduce myself and state my position with every new patient encounter?
Do I shake hands with the patient and their family members?
Do I give good eye contact when speaking and listening to a patient? Can I note the color of their eyes?
Do I connect with the patient personally before starting to chart on the computer?
Do I look at the patient when I ask a question and return to the keyboard to enter data?
Am I respectful by addressing patients formally, especially older patients?
What message does my body language convey? Do I have my hand on the door knob and one foot out the door before I close the conversation with the patient?
Am I well-groomed from top to bottom? Do I have on clean shoes and a pressed uniform?
Do I chew gum in public?
Am I sensitive to the needs of my co-workers? Do I offer help before being asked?
Do I manage up my co-workers and the physicians?
Do I pull rank on team members?
Do I recognize the value of everyone on the team?

Don’t just let the letters behind your name define you as a professional. If you answered no to many of these questions it may be time to review some professional courtesy skills to improve the perception others have of you as a “professional” and to become a genuine professional.

Be Kind to Everyone

Teach Respect and Give Respect

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