What is not taught in B-schools (Part 2)

Given below are some golden words that have to be used very judiciously.

I: The one word that you should use as less as possible. The usage of “I” word bores people.

You: The one word that you should use as frequently possible. The usage makes people happy and makes you the most popular conversationalist.

We: The word for teamwork. This denotes that you are a part of the group and not above it.

Thank you: Two words that open the doors of the world for you. Try it in all the available occasions and see the difference in treatment from all the sundry including the auto driver and the liftman. “Kindness begets kindness”.

I am sorry: Three words that turn foes into friends. While it is difficult to accept that you were at fault, once you say sorry you would be amazed at the easiness with which your apology is accepted. However, one needs to say it with the heart.

You are most welcome: Four words that will make you an again very popular.

I am proud of you: Five words that will make your team members root for you as the best leader. All of us get work done but how many of us acknowledge the fact and give the praise. Praise can move mountains. An apt compliment at the right time is a very good motivator. Try it out and see the difference.

Many of us have lost the art of writing good letters. The style of typing the date and the signature on the right side of the letter is outdated. The in-thing is to type everything on the left side of the letter. The addressing of Mrs. and Miss is out and Ms is in. It is definitely less confusing. The latest is to just say “Dear business associate” or “Dear student”. No gender specific addressing that would confuse many foreigners.

At the end of the letter the salutary signoff was usually - yours truly, yours faithfully or yours sincerely (only in the letter). The latest signoff is “with regards”. Keeping to the topic of signing off at the end, the Internet has its own protocol. Follow it or you would be considered a uneducated or uninitiated one. For e.g.: Typing in capital letters on the Internet means SHOUTING at the other person.

All of us have to remember that we can’t see ourselves except in mirrors and others see us all the time and make their assessment based on how we appear and how we behave. Like the saying goes “the first impression is the best impression”. So let us strive to make the best impression and get an unfair advantage in life. One that can propel us into the continuously evolving cauldron – life in a corporate world.

At the end, one can conclude that in most cases our bark is worse than our bite. Let us practice the art of right barking.