Why is this subject, “A Dash of Decorum,” important in the world?
Etiquette is important in all aspects of life, whether you know it or not! It is the icing on the cake. The polish. The thing that distinguishes a person from being good versus impressive. Although the word ‘etiquette’ may seem old-fashioned to many, the principle will always exist and is relevant in everyday life. It means being considerate towards others, whether in a business situation, a social occasion, or a family gathering. The world we live in now is very different from a few decades ago, even in the last decade, many changes have impacted our lives. Social media is a great outlet, but it has certain drawbacks, people are losing their social skills in many areas, including body language, eye contact, handshaking, conversation, small talk, etc. We want to reemphasize the importance of these skills and focus on many more useful areas for the real world. We don’t want to talk about how to hold a teacup correctly, we want to talk about real manners that matter in the real world!
What is the pressing issue, right, and how are you addressing it?
There are a few! In the workplace, it is twofold. Employers are seeking committed employees who will go the extra mile and be the face of the company and act in that manner. There has been a lack of attention to soft skills that are still required in our daily lives. Many employers feel that their employees are not always equipped with the necessary skills to hit the floor running. Email etiquette, the ability to answer a phone politely, follow up, and so on. Especially after the pandemic, many people have forgotten or ‘lost’ these skills. With the onset of the pandemic and the work-from-home ethos, the working landscape has changed somewhat, and business etiquette will help people move forward and stand out from the crowd.
The second is from the employee. Many people feel they are overlooked for promotions or cannot achieve the desired balance. The feeling of being overlooked results in apathy and a sense of resignation from the job. This impacts the employee’s productivity, engagement, and motivation. All of which have long-term effects on work-life balance.
Julia Esteve Boyd Biography
What is your background in this subject?
Rachana and Julia are both Etiquette Consultants who want to change the misguided and old-fashioned views that the word ‘etiquette’ conjures up. This collaboration formed the podcast, Manners Matter 2. It is based on the premise that this is not your grandma’s etiquette, we talk about real-life situations that everyone faces in daily life.
About Julia Esteve Boyd – International Etiquette & Protocol Consultant Julia Esteve Boyd, The Etiquette Consultant, has consulted with members of royal families, politicians, and business professionals in matters of International Etiquette, VIP Protocol, and Lifestyle Management. A double graduate of The Protocol School of Washington as both a Protocol Officer and International Etiquette Consultant, she is also a graduate of New York University in Special Events Management & The Fashion Institute of Technology NYC in Image Consulting. Julia has combined these studies with her hospitality background and teaching experience at the prestigious Institut Villa Pierrefeu, Switzerland, to offer exclusive coaching services and training in VIP Protocol and Etiquette. Julia’s approach to etiquette is that while a good degree of kindness and common sense can go a long way in day-to-day life, her private coaching is essential for navigating a variety of lifestyle situations — from entertaining foreign clients, visiting foreign countries, attending an interview or upscale dinner and hosting VIP events at home. The ultimate goal is presenting oneself, one’s business, and household in the best possible way.
About Rachana Adyanthaya – Creator & Founder of cr8mychange, career, and etiquette coaching for women who want to enhance their careers and level up. Rachana incorporates her experience, and the wisdom gained to provide her clients with career-enhancing coaching in performance and etiquette. Her help enables those she serves to gain the edge needed to reach their next-level success goals. Having been brought up in England, she draws on her career experiences with the UK’s “magic circle” legal firms and top-tier investment banks to help her clients thrive in their fields and lives. Having represented England in two World Cup lacrosse competitions, Rachana, who now resides in the US, is uniquely equipped to share her sharply honed skills and insight into the importance of teamwork. Her clients often mention her skillful agility in juggling a competitive, determined spirit with the subtle but necessary qualities of empathy, kindness, and respect for others—all of which she considers the building blocks of a successful life.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
Rachana is the mother of 2, has Indian heritage, was born and raised in the UK, and now resides in the US. She loves to travel and see the world. She is a self-proclaimed foodie.
Julia is a mother of 5! She has been living the ex-pat life for the last 15 years, raising her family around the world… France, Switzerland, Spain, Mexico, USA, and currently now in Hong Kong… along with 2 cats and a dog!
What are your passions outside of your career?
Rachana: I love hanging out with my family, keeping up with my kids, being active, and traveling. I love to learn about new cultures and see the world through different narratives. I haven’t managed to travel as much due to covid, so I plan on making up for it!
Julia: Trying to keep up with my husband! He is super active, and I always try to follow his lead…walking, hiking, paddle boarding… it’s hard to stay at the same pace, but it helps and keeps me balanced. Otherwise, I love anything relating to culture. It could be visiting a museum, taking a guided tour of a new city, or simply listening to a podcast. Of course, I must shout out to my 5 children, I am passionate about them, what they are doing and what the future holds for them!
Are there any social causes that you believe in and support?
Rachana: I believe strongly in helping women in the workplace achieve the balance and recognition they deserve. I would like to see the workplace culture change. Productivity doesn’t equal more hours at work. It’s finding a balance and feeling like you are always putting your best foot forward.
Julia: I agree with Rachana. I feel passionate about helping others. Many people lack the simple skills that can make a difference. I would like to help people find their strengths, build confidence, and move forward away from the negativity surrounding them. I want to ignore the ridiculous old-fashioned etiquette rules and focus on the etiquette that is relevant today in our world.
What is next for you?
We want to continue podcasting and exploring ‘Etiquette for Change.’ This is our big theme coming into the new year. We want to really marry up the coaching and etiquette and show people how powerful change can be when you have a mindset shift. We will offer group and individual training for those who want to make some of those new year’s resolutions become a reality instead of “hoping.” Ideally, we would like to team up with an organization that wants to see the change in employee engagement and work together to show them exactly what business etiquette can do for their business and growth. We have previously worked with charities and have seen the results, we want to keep moving forward in this direction with work with businesses and other organizations.
A Dash of Decorum
Tell me about your book.
Our book ‘A Dash of Decorum’ is all about dining etiquette, it’s a whirlwind of tips. It may seem unimportant to many people, but it’s an extremely relevant topic in real life. People judge people! Even if you think you don’t judge others, you do, perhaps secretly, but you do! Eating is something we do daily and frequently in public, so our book offers tips to help you overcome tricky situations (and foods) … the result? You can relax, enjoy the food and not worry about which fork to use or what to wear in any situation. It’s a great guidebook that can be used as a reference should it be necessary for a business or social occasion.
Moving from Passion to Purpose(Opens in a new browser tab)
Where can people buy the book?
The book ‘A Dash of Decorum, 101 Tips To Guide You Through Formal And Informal Dining Events’ can be purchased onAmazon, Barnes & Noble, and Waterstones and is also available in University libraries such as Oxford, Cambridge, and all national libraries in the United Kingdom. Our new course, ‘Etiquette For Change,’ will be available on our website mannersmatter2.com in the new year. We have some fantastic and relevant topics to share. We want to make an impact. To make etiquette accessible and understood. We believe the impact can be phenomenal.
