We all know the 4 C’s of a diamond right- Cut, Color, Clarity and Carrot weight. With a diamond, these 4 C’s are very important to the value of the diamond. The better these C’s are, the better and usually more valuable the diamond will be for you.

But did you know that there are the 4 C’s of Etiquette? If you have all of these in a positive way, you will become a better person to be around and make yourself much more valuable than your friends, coworkers, competitors, etc.

#1- Confidence

There is a difference between being confident and being cocky (or arrogant). No one likes to be around a cocky person, but they like be around someone who is confident. Why? I believe it is because confidence = knowledge. The more knowledgeable you are about something, the more confidence you have in yourself and your abilities. And when you exude confidence, you possess leadership. I will say that you need to know how to use that knowledge for good. I know a number of people who have a lot of knowledge (or at least they think they do) and they come off as “Mr. Know-it all”. This turns them into a cocky person and people will typically shy away from people that are like this.

Confidence in etiquette means you have the proper knowledge of how to act in any situation (whether it is in a meeting, online at a restaurant or gala or on the golf course, just to name a few).

To be out of your element (maybe because you are attending a formal gala, or our meeting in a board room) can be nerve wracking, but a confident person knows how to act and it shows, especially to the people around him (or her).

#2- Class

We all have it. It’s either good class or bad class and I think we all know people that have one or the other of these characteristics. To be “classy” is a trait that I believe we all need to learn. We aren’t born with it.

So, how do you have good class in etiquette? I believe class equals respect and people with good class respect other people and the jobs they do. I tell my staff all the time that you may not like everyone you work with, but you need to respect them and the job they do.

How do you treat the wait staff when you go out to eat with a client or prospect? Or for that matter, anyone other service type worker? How you treat them says a lot about the type of class you have.

Class is doing the little things that make you stand out. It shows your client, prospect or fellow associate that you are listening to them and that you are about them.

Next, you will find out about the other C’s to help make yourself more valuable to your company through Professional Etiquette.

Do you have questions about a specific etiquette topic? Email me – you may just find your question featured here.

Bob Pacanovsky

Bob Pacanovsky is a Keynote,Conference, and Corporate Speaker and Trainer who works with companies and organizations to develop the Black Tie Experience—creating an impression that LASTS through leadership, service, actions, and behaviors.

To learn more, contact Bob Pacanovsky: Call (330) 352-6084 or email Bob@BobPacanovsky.com.