I am a card-carrying etiquette nerd along with my guest, for this episode, Kristi Spencer, who spent over two decades working in the rough and tumble world of local news before becoming a certified business etiquette expert and launching her business The Polite Company.

Why does it matter?

Good manners are good for business. Good manners minimize or prevent problems with reputation and employee/client retention (which impact the bottom line), make you more memorable and good manners are key to building relationships, the foundation of all business.

9 Key takeaways:

• Assume good intentions
• Etiquette is built on consideration, respect and honesty
• Empowering etiquette means knowing how and when to ask for what you want
• Learn to disagree politely
• Rudeness is a two-way street (self-audit)
• Don't correct other people's bad manners if they're not in your immediate family
• You have two seconds to tell someone you've heard that story before
• Kindness and listening have a positive ripple effect
• Only say sorry when you really mean it

Kristi is a passionate advocate for workplace civility and professionalism and is regularly called on to provide etiquette expertise for media outlets. Learn more about Kristi's services at www.thepolitecompany.com.