Jody White, Speaking Directly

  “Good manners and proper etiquette are at the very core of how we communicate with one another,” says Denise Dinyon, Lenox gift-giving and etiquette expert. “We need to develop and reinforce those essential courtesies that make our relationships strong, valuable and long-lasting.” She offers the following etiquette tips, which are easy to incorporate into everyday life: 1. Turn the cell phone off  -- completely -- during a luncheon meeting, social function, or on public transportation. 2. Hold the door -- whether male or female, hold open a door you have just passed through for the person behind you. 3. Bring a gift for the hostess -- preferably one that doesn’t require her to drop everything she is doing. 4. Keep to the right -- on the sidewalk, in stairwells. 5. Say please and thank you -- to waiters, flight attendants, store clerks, cab drivers -- the little things go a long way. 6. Circulate at a party or social gathering -- whether hostess or guest, the people, n...

  Dictionary.com defines confidence as the belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities. Have you ever come across these types of situations: • Your supervisor is on vacation and upper management is asking you for an update on a project, right now! • You are starting your own business and need to talk to a bank about a small business loan today! • You have been assigned to train fellow employees on new safety rules at several plant locations within the month! • You have an idea for a new invention and need to sell your idea quickly! • You want to join a community group today but you don’t know any members. • You have several job interviews this week to market your skills. • Your favorite cause has asked you to take the lead on a huge fundraiser now! As you read the above "real-world" opportunities, did you smile knowing you could handle these situations? Or, did your heart start pounding, knees get weak or your mind go blank? Confidence is that “stable rock” inside you...