Refining Images Leadership Institute

We're continuing on with tips during National Business Etiquette Week!

One of the most overlooked professional skills is knowing how to properly introduce people.

A thoughtful introduction does more than exchange names, it communicates respect, awareness, and social intelligence.

A simple rule to remember:
"Dr. Solomon, I'd like to introduce Rhonda Johnson, our administrative assistant."

Not:
"Rhonda, this is Dr. Solomon."

Higher-ranking individuals in a professional setting receives the introduction first. This small courtesy acknowledges hierarchy while maintaining respect for everyone involved.

It's National Business Etiquette Week, and contrary to popular belief, etiquette is not about being rigid or pretending to be someone you're not.

Etiquette is simply the art of making other people feel respected.

In a world where people are trying to get noticed, your smart soft skills will always set you apart.

I'll be sharing tips all week to help you instantly elevate your presence.

1. See the person before the title.
Before trying to determine someone's importance or scanning for credentials, make eye contact, smile and acknowledge the person standing in front of you.

2. Stand for introductions.
If someone walks up to your table at an event or meeting to introduce themselves to you or even come to say brief hello and you are sitting, stand to greet them. Do not ever shake hands or carry on a conversation with anyone in this position. It communicates respect before a word is ever spoken.

3. Use their name before the conversation ends.
A person's name is one of the most important words they hear all day. Using it demonstrates attentiveness and leaves a lasting impression.

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Real work happens behind the scenes not captured in a photo.

This season has been about becoming, and I am realizing more than ever that becoming requires you to filter your life in a very real way.

Who you give access to matters.
What you entertain matters.
What you allow to stay in your life matters.

It's not always easy to be honest about who or what no longer fits. There were invitations I had to look at differently. Conversations that did not feel aligned anymore. Spaces where I had to ask myself if I was truly growing or just staying comfortable.

Growth is not always about adding something new. A lot of times it is about refining what is already there and having the discipline to make different choices.

And it is a choice you have to keep making. Not just once, but over and over again.

Choosing who you are becoming over who you have been.
Choosing alignment over familiarity.
Choosing growth even when it feels uncomfortable.

If things feel different for you right now, if you have been pulling back, if you are becoming more selective, that does not mean something is wrong.

It may mean you are finally being intentional about your life.

That is part of elevation.

xoxo Sherri B.