E- Zine - March 2007

WELCOME to the PROTOCOL PLUS MONTHLY E-ZINE

IN TODAY'S ISSUE:

Tips to Outclass Your Competition - Please don’t kill chivalry.

A young couple recently observed a man opening a car door for me. I overheard the woman say “Oh, how nice!” in a longing tone that someone might do the same for her someday. Chivalry is not dead, and yet I see people protest when someone offers them a courtesy. When this happens, people become confused – “What’s a person to do?” If someone objects to your courtesy, please let it be his or her issue, and not yours. There is magic in kindness and today’s ideal is not gender specific. It’s simply people being kind to people. Don’t let chivalry die. Follow these gender-neutral acts of kindness.

  • Whoever arrives at the door first, opens the door.
  • If someone opens a door for you, simply smile and say “Thank you.”
  • The person closest to the elevator door exists first.
  • Help anyone having difficulty put on his or her coat.
  • Pull out someone’s chair at a restaurant table if elderly or needing help.
  • Offer to help carry something for someone who is overloaded.
  • Graciously accept courtesy and repay with more courtesy.

    This Hug O’ War poem of Shel Silverstein says it beautifully. I will not play at Tug O’ War
    I’d rather play at Hug O’ War
    Where everyone hugs, instead of tugs
    And everyone giggles and rolls on the rug
    Where everyone kisses; And everyone grins
    And everyone cuddles; And everyone wins.

    It’s a new game, and you have to know the new rules to stay on top of the game. If you are confused about today’s rules of protocol, call 405-341-3216 today to see how you can bring your choice of my Professional Protocol Series to your organization. You can all be winners.

    The Coach’s Corner – Growing pains of change

    I can remember when I worked at the University how I balked when the techy people came in to my office to upgrade or change my computer. I just figured out how to use what I had and begged them to just skip my office. I didn’t need and certainly didn’t want anything new. I was perfectly content the way it was and didn’t want the stress of the learning curve. It’s not unusual to balk at change, but without change there is no growth and without growth, you are left behind. When someone upsets your apple cart, refill it with new apples. Grow with and through the new situation.

    Coaching questions:
  • Step back and ask yourself “What’s really going on here?”
  • Why is the change taking place?
  • How can you make this change easier on yourself?
  • How can you make this change easier for others?
  • What are the good things about the change?
  • How can you take the negatives one-by-one, and toss them out?
  • How can you be grateful for the change?

    As your coach, I can support you through uncomfortable changes in your life. I can help you design environments to support your growth so the change will pull opportunities to you. Call today for your no-obligation, coaching session. This 30-minute confidential session will give you the experience of coaching. To schedule your session, call 405-341-3216.

    Quotes of the Month

    “If you hear a voice within you say, ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
             --- Vincent Van Gogh

    “You are meant to be what you dream of becoming.”
             --- Edmund O’Neill

    Ask the Expert - Smile experiment

    Back to News & Articles