INT 069: Business Etiquette is Key to Effective Leadership

Leadership combines many elements to create someone capable of leading with confidence. One of those elements, while often forgotten, is etiquette. In today’s episode of IntHerrupt, Linda is joined by etiquette expert, author, and founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach, Jacqueline Whitmore, to discuss how any business leader can integrate etiquette into their practice. 

What is business etiquette?

• It’s a consideration for others. (Yes, that’s a broad statement.) 
• While specific actions like thank-you notes and moving the knife and fork correctly at dinner are nuances of etiquette, consideration for others guides those actions.
• It’s the art of knowing how to treat other people, whether you're in an elevator at a conference, a cocktail party, or in the boardroom.

Learning and exemplifying etiquette helps in leadership:

• Etiquette is not innate - it’s an acquired skill. 
• The important etiquette for a corporate professional depends entirely on the events and communications they need. Based on those, polish manners based on your lifestyle.
• The purpose isn’t to change someone; it’s to enhance what they already bring to the table.

What do you see as the challenge to etiquette?

• Technology has completely changed the way we do business, and the pandemic resulted in a necessary understanding of zoom and virtual etiquette.
• It always starts with the individual to overcome these changes - are you open to the change and opportunity etiquette offers?
• Rather than learning everything about etiquette all at once, focus on learning the most applicable information first.

Jacqueline’s top three etiquette tips:

• School is never out; because learners are earners. So always learn something new each day.
• Surround yourself with talented, positive people.
• Keep an open mind. Whether doing business in the US or abroad, people act based on their background. Minds are like parachutes - they only function when they’re open.

Above all, Jacqueline urges you to be humble (because nobody likes arrogance.) Connect with her on LinkedIn and check out her website etiquetteexpert.com. Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.