The cardinal rules of face to face etiquette

We have talked a lot about face to face as a means of creating the right environment for building a lasting business relationship, but we have talked little about the elements which go into face to face done in the right way!

Of course, if ever there were a way to strangle a relationship at the very begining it is by disregarding some of the basic elements of face to face etiquette. The problem is that if you are one of the people who disregards them, you will simply not know about the consequences until you find it harder and harder to engage people face to face anymore.

A cardinal sin in this respect is the person who in a face to face meeting does not listen. It is truly disconcerting to be making a new contact only to find that that contact is more interested in herself than in what you are saying. Being dominant in a conversation and I use the visual device of the giant Sumo here versus the little Sumo for illustration, does not mean being either more effective nor more penetrating with your conversation...it might just mean the other person has switched off and is looking for the exit a.s.a.p!

Another cardinal sin is in lack of conviction! It is a real turn off to find that a person that you are asking something of is finding it hard to be enthusiastic and passionate in what they are doing. This is infectious and you will not want to be anywhere near the infection...there are too many other problems to sort out, never mind lack of 'spirit'.

The tip here is to be a little bit "over the top". I do not mean in the Laurence Olivier way, expounded in a booming dramatic voice, but I do mean projecting in a way which portrays some animation. This is especially relevant if you have a weake(er) voice. Putting more effort into your vocal delivery will help you feel more confident and will leave those around you in no doubt that you are a person to be taken seriously.

I will look at some more cardinal sins another time.