When you run into unexpected experiences which change your life — grab and hold onto them tightly. They are experiences that change you for the better and make you stronger.
It's All About GRACE.
I was sitting in church last night during our Maundy Thursday service and as I was reading along in the cantata, one word kept popping up. GRACE.
And I realized, we all can do with a little more GRACE in our lives in how we treat other people. Honestly, when was the last time you used the word GRACE in conversation?
As you know, this is a business and career blog — so how do I incorporate GRACE into that?
The definition of GRACE is:
As a noun — simple elegance or refinement of movement or conversation.
As a verb — to do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one's presence.
So here goes:
- When dealing with a direct report, add a bit more grace to the conversation. Show them a bit more refinement in your words. Even if they've done something wrong, try to credit them in some way.
- At a meeting, comport yourself with a little more grace than usual. Listen to what other people say without barging in and giving them your perspective.
- Be grateful you have a business or career and let others know it. Tell your boss or clients how much they mean to you. Honor them.
- When meeting someone for the first time, show them how refined you really are. Don't be pushy, brazen, or assertive — simple elegance will take you far.
- It does matter for any gender: If you're a woman, elegance and refinement come easily to you — use them frequently. People will be impressed and call you a 'sharp' executive. If you're a man, spend a bit more time giving credit or honor to people — they will start calling you a 'true' gentleman.
TAKE ACTION: Over the next week (or two), take a Post-It note and write GRACE on it. Whenever you have an opportunity to interact with another person, add a bit more of YOUR GRACE to the conversation.
You might not only surprise yourself — others will be surprisingly impressed.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON MY MESSAGE TODAY. SEND ME YOUR MESSAGE BELOW!
Get Ahead & Have Fun At The Same Time.
During a coaching session with one of my incredible clients, I constructed a term they needed to produce to ensure success at their task. I called it ENERGETIC ENTHUSIASM.
They have a marketplace-imposed deadline — they only have 30 days to get their task complete. So they have to get off their butt and get it done.