ofbf leadership buffet youth

foot-in-mouth disease.

we've all made those mistakes by saying something inappropriate, at the wrong time, in the wrong way or to the wrong person.

here are some tips for keeping your foot out of your mouth and dealing diplomatically with others.

Ask yourself these questions before you say anything:

• is this helpful? does it communicate caring for the person or just help YOU feel better?
• is it necessary? ss this a question that needs to be asked immediately or can it wait?
• is my question/statement phrased to show caring or communicating clearly?
• put people first in your communication. if you don't know exactly what to say or do, focus on the people that you want to reach out to and take the focus off yourself and not being sure what to say/do. yes, it's awkward, but once you begin to focus on the other person, it gets much easier.

This is an excerpt from the new leadership buffet workshop, "etiquette: the art of self-confidence while putting others at ease."