How Good Are Your Manners?

I find that a high number of managers and even top leaders have surprisingly questionable manners for personal interaction. 

Examples: No answers to value-generating personal communication, even if they know the other person. Not showing up on time to confirmed meetings. Ignoring work performed by their team. Not executing the agreed tasks. And so on. 

Showing good manners is an attitude.

This becomes in particular obvious when I interact with somebody who demonstrates superior manners: they answer to valid requests (no matter if the answer is negative), they show up on time and are prepared, they do what they say they will do, they are present in personal interactions, and so on. 

And by the way, good manners have nothing – yes, nothing! – to do with available time or position. Often, even the busiest and most “important” people are the ones with the best manners. However, it has everything to do with the respect for others, prioritisation, and appreciation. 

Sometimes, people are not even aware of their possibility to improve their manners. Here are three ideas to train your good manners: 

1. Make a list of your own manners you want to demonstrate each day. It sounds basic, but most people never consciously think about the manners they want to show. Just writing down, for instance, to be always on time, can already influence your punctuality.
2. Assess yourself each evening how well you met your standards regarding manners. It is powerful to simply become honest about our own behaviour.
3. Get a coach. Most behavioural changes require a person who holds you accountable for your commitments. Often, the most accomplished people are where they are because they consistently have coaches to give them honest feedback and support them on their journey.

❓In which areas can you improve your manners? Curious.

👉 Next steps:

When you're ready, check out my ➔ coaching programs and set up ➔ a 15min appointment here to get to know each other.