Posted on Wed, Jun 09, 2010
by Jeremy Willinger
Everyone wants to be the general but nobody wants to be the soldier. Yet, while leadership is an admirable quality, how many times have we heard the adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely? Despite the countless politicians and other officials who wind up abusing their authority, leadership, when exercised properly, is an invaluable quality that can lead to great personal and professional success.
Key to effective leadership is a combination of honesty and faith—to be truthful in the advice and direction given to charges, with trust in their ability to get the job done correctly. Effective leadership and the proper executive etiquette thereof, is also about knowing when to intervene and when to back off. In many ways, leadership training is like parenting in that you have to allow people to grow independently while also knowing when and how to guide them toward favorable outcomes.
The importance of leadership cannot be overstated. In business, direction and dynamic momentum sustain and grow market value, while stimulating innovation. Personally, it facilitates thoughtful and beneficial decisions that put wind in our sails as we navigate the waters of life.
Even if you are not in a leadership position, there are always opportunities to display management qualities. Proper leadership etiquette dictates that one defer to the judgment of his or her superior; at the same time, initiative defines one as a conscientious worker who is confident enough to vocalize ideas. Regardless of whether your newly proposed project is actualized, your creative initiative can brand you as a future leader, comfortable in your ability to think beyond what is already on the table.
While leadership is an admirable trait, it is useless without supporters and loyal workers. All leaders had to learn from others before them, so listening is as important as directing at all stages of one’s lifetime. Knowing this will make the difference between being a leader who is respected and a leader wannabe, who is easily replaced.
Posted on Tue, Nov 17, 2009
by Lyudmila Bloch, Etiquette Expert NYC
Those of us who have visited Japan, worked or lived there, know that Japanese people bow all day long. I personally have great respect and admiration for Japanese culture, having learned about cultural subtleties when I stayed in Tokyo on a prolonged business trip. The bow - ojigi in Japanese – is a traditional way of greeting and showing respect. There are also rules to follow when one is greeted with a bow.
First of all, observe carefully and bow back at the same depth and angle as you have been bowed to.The angle in a casual bow is about 15 degrees from the vertical position, and your hands are not touching the other person. If you are a man, your hands are “glued” to the sides of your body; if you are a woman, your fingertips are slightly touching in front of your body. Your feet are in a V-shape position – touching at the heels and pointing outward. Lower your chin and eyes as you make a bow, especially if you are bowing to an elder or very important person.The depth of the bow shows respect and indicates the status of the two people.
Japanese is a unique culture that honors a traditional system with many distinct honorifics and forms of address. Even translators take their time in choosing a proper form of address when working with politicians or businesspeople. Inappropriate choice of words can be interpreted as offensive.
The Japanese are very aware of Western traditions, and it’s perfectly OK to greet a Westerner with a handshake. The Japanese handshake is gentle, prolonged and does not reflect the strength or character of the greeter. It’s not your All-American handshake (web-to-web).
Unfortunately, when President Obama recently greeted Japanese Emperor Akihito with a deep bow (at almost 90 degrees), and a handshake at the same time, those gestures were over the top. Japan is parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch – its emperor. The emperor is the chief of state as are our presidents. Two individuals of equal rank greet each other in the same way. Did you see the Emperor bowing from his waist down and stretching to reach Obama’s hand? No. The keywords are appropriate and subtle. The bow must demonstrate a delicate balance between respect, proper protocol, and appreciation for the Japanese tradition concerning age and rank.
Excessive, emotional, or dramatic gestures may be interpreted as naïve or confusing. Insufficient knowledge of Japanese culture, traditions, and protocol was clearly in evidence. One needs to do it right, and not overdo it! For all wonderful intentions, President Obama has committed a cultural-etiquette faux pas while greeting the Emperor. Etiquette Expert NYC gives the President a C-grade for his bow-wow in Japan!
Posted on Mon, Nov 02, 2009
by Jeremy Willinger
You wrote a good cover letter, aced the interview, accepted their offer, and are excited about your new job. Yet, before any new hire moves into their first cubicle or corner office, it is imperative that they know the unique set of business-etiquette guidelines that will ease their transition into a new company and put them on the path to success.
In the first ninety days on the job, a new hire must delve deep into the company culture and recognize their rank and status within the organizational hierarchy without committing major business blunders. This is the time when a new team member will be under great scrutiny, so use it to your advantage by defining your reputation as a competent, business-etiquette savvy, hard-working, and easy-going individual.
This examination can, and probably will feel like you’re in a pressure cooker, but there are guidelines that any new hire can follow to earn the respect and solidarity of their co-workers. Strive for balance: show off your hard skills but avoid outsmarting your boss. If you develop a friendly relationship with colleagues, be sure your personal life does not intrude. Convey written messages in the most straightforward fashion but use humor appropriately -- jokes are a minefield better left to professional comedians.
Balance is important in the office but even more so outside of it. Business dinners, offsite meetings, tradeshows, and other trips call for their own set of workplace rules of new-hire business etiquette. The two keywords are appropriate and discreet. At a client dinner, for instance, this translates into asking the client or sommelier for a wine recommendation rather than selecting the beverage without any input.
Chances are, as the above example suggests, alcohol may be served. While one might be tempted to drink as much as possible on the company dime, new hires (especially) cannot afford a slip of the tongue, or to have their work suffer the following day. Therefore, moderation is key.
Moderation should not be practiced, however, when deferring to formality. New hires should know that business etiquette means addressing and referring to people by their title, which shows both professionalism and compliance. A new hire must also be aware that asking questions is encouraged, but must be done in a way that frames the inquiry with respect. Business etiquette is not only about pleasing your new colleagues, but also about helping you establish a platform from which to make your job a positive and rewarding experience.
While getting your foot in the door at a new company is the first step, knowing the rules of business etiquette goes a long way in helping ensure that the doorwill always remain open.
PS. If you feel completely lost and overwhelmed during your first few weeks on the job, find a local provider who offers business-etiquette training, business-etiquette seminars, and business communications courses for young professionals. A private Business Etiquette Coach is available 24/7 through Etiquetteoutreach.com (Business EtiquetteExpert NYC).