B RI LL I ANC E
I N FOCU S
Eric Francis Manu The Advantage of Being a Gentleman in Business. (The term gentleman in this article refers to individuals of any gender.)
B
eing in business means dealing with demanding challenges. It can be exciting, frustrating, inspirational, and depressing. Fear and anxiety abound - and all this can happen in one day. When something goes wrong, as it inevitably will, a breakdown in civility as tempers flare will only lead to the crumbling of trust. There is one person who will stand above the crowd: the gentleman. Retaining composure and showing dignity and courtesy, even in the face of aggression, will elevate you. Being a gentleman does not make you superior; it gives you an advantage. A gentleman will respond rather than react, working to find a more stable and balanced view of the situation, retaining quiet calm and confidence without piling on more anger. Know the importance of a first impression. It is better to be authentic when offering a smile rather than being obsequious and setting a misleading tone. Strive to do what is right instead of acting for personal benefit. Reacting to problems using a measured, reflective approach shows
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ISSUE 01 | JUNE 2022
Being a gentleman does not make you superior; it gives you an advantage. strength. If you are going to be a business leader, you must also be a gentleman. Yet being a gentleman in business does not mean you are above making mistakes. Accepting constructive criticism with a gracious attitude is vital. The person who has tried to help you improve your performance is to be thanked, not attacked. Offering points to help someone improve should be done using the ‘sandwich effect’. First, congratulate them on what they have achieved, then give points for improvement, and finish with a positive note on general performance. This approach is a gentlemanly way to deliver a helpful critique that will likely be accepted. The gentleman in business engages, doing their best to understand others who strongly disagree with them. They carve a path to common
ground, not merely principles, led by moral and ethical beliefs. They are also honest. Show humility. Instead of clumsily trying to cover an error, put your hands up, and admit your mistake. The reward is respect. Ask for support from colleagues. Show grace and style, accepting that adversity must be overcome, courage found, and praise won on merit alone. The gentleman will remember the strength in failure and the value of success. Eric Francis Manu - FRSA, Founder and Managing Director, The British Protocol Academy
