More importantly, what’s the benefit?
Industries and workplaces often have their employees attend an HR course about etiquette to encourage positivity. How you are expected to treat each other and customers. They invest the time and resources into courses that teach their employers how to be kind and respectful to their customers because they know the benefit. Customers are more likely to do business with that company if they have positive interactions with the staff, feel respected and appreciated.
Also, when employees are kind and respectful to each other, it creates an amicable work environment to allow for increased productivity and staff retention. It’s a win, win.
So imagine applying such a simple idea to your day to day life. Include respect and kindness in your routine interactions. With family and friends, the waitress bringing your food, the cashier at the grocery etc. Including very basic gestures can go a long way.
1. Make eye contact.
If you are speaking with someone in person, give them your attention. Put the phone down for that moment and thoroughly communicate with the person in front of you. It’s respectful. They will appreciate it. If you feel you are in a rush with no time to do that, you may be surprised that it actually speeds up the ordeal because you are improving the communication.
2. Listen to each other.
This can be very difficult and requires effort. Besides your phone, which I already said to go ahead and put down for a moment. We often have preconceived thoughts in our head as someone talks to us. Or the mind wanders to what’s next on your to do list. Do your best and focus to what the person you are talking to is actually saying.
3. Use Thank You & You’re Welcome.
Since I could talk my mom stressed using manners. Now I’m trying to instill that into my boys. It’s polite and just a nice gesture that brings positivity to any situation.
4. Smile.
As I write this, masks are still in use. But I truly believe others can see my smile in my eyes. Regardless, this one is still important for the times of mask relief. You never know who could desperately use a smiling face to brighten them up, even if just for a moment.
5. Respect others time.
Just like you get to work and meetings on time, do your best to show up to appointments or dinner plans on time. Time is so valuable.
If these items seem silly to you, go back to a previous blog of mine and ask yourself why? There may be an underlying reason to why you don’t feel comfortable with these actions. The more you try, the more comfortable you will feel doing them and being kind will become habitual. It will promote positivity.
Respect is important and is critical in successful relationships (cue Aretha Franklin). Maintaining respect will help you get through difficult situations and conversations. I even mention it as the final bullet in my previous blog regarding advocating in healthcare. We should be respectful when it’s easy and when it’s hard.
Maybe you’re thinking, well sure I can do this, but no one else will. That first thought is what matters. I can do this. Don’t worry about what others do, you can’t control that. Just think of the phrase, ‘Kill em’ with kindness’. I will do everything I can to keep myself in a calm, positive mindset regardless of any negativity being thrown my way.
Having this approach will make things better. Your calm, your peace in action will bring that in return. I recently read a book called ‘The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life’ and it discussed the Law of Life’.
Law of Life that as we think, and speak and act towards others, so will others think, and speak and act towards us.
I believe strongly in reciprocity. And even if you don’t feel the warmth and kindness back in that single moment, it will show up at another time. You are still pouring positivity out in the world and you will receive positivity in return.
Have a great day!