Are you as successful as you would like to be in your personal and professional life? If the answer is “no,” you might want to evaluate your soft skills. Soft skills refer to a cluster of personal attitudes and social graces that make someone a good friend, date, and employee; someone compatible to be around–at →

The holidays are a time when families like to go out for dinner to celebrate. The following tips will help make your time out with your children an enjoyable and memorable occasion: 1. Brief your children prior to going out. Let them know that it is a special occasion and that they will be expected to be →

1. Prepare for the event. Go with a 15-second self-introduction prepared for the event, and something to say besides what is going on at the office. (Shop talk is boring at a festive affair.) 2. Arrive on time. Strolling in when the party is half over, just as leaving before the party is half over, →

It’s that time of the year when we will start planning our dinner parties at home with friends, family and colleagues. Do you know what it means to be a courteous host? Do you know what it means to be a gracious guest? Courteous Host Protocol Always greet guests at the door and make them feel →

By Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick   Whether you are attending a social function for purely personal reasons, or a social business function for professional reasons, knowing how to mingle with ease and grace with others is an important life skill. It is also an essential executive skill.   Would you like to feel more comfortable attending social →

    It’s a new school year! It’s a new beginning! It’s your chance to make it your best year ever! It’s universally-accepted fact that young people who possess good social skills are more considerate, confident and successful in their lives; and they get along better with their friends, teachers, and family. How you conduct →

By Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick Some of my fondest memories of summers past include having houseguests. Perhaps it is because my friends have lovely manners, and my husband and I enjoy making their stays memorable. I do know, however, this is not the experience many have had, or remember about having houseguests, which is why I thought it necessary →

You never get a second chance to make a first impression! The first impression you make is based upon three key factors: Your appearance, your attitude, and your actions. How do you measure up? Are you triple-A rated? Answer true or false to the following statements. 1. In business or social situations, it is always correct →

By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick  “In a shrinking world with ever increasing competition, Americans are finding they need to know more about other cultures to survive both at home and abroad.”                                                                           - Brooks Peterson, author of ”Cultural Intelligence.”                           By now it should be evident that no nation on earth can thrive in the twenty-first century without being →

By Patricia Napier-Fitpzatrick  How to Be a Polished Host Do dress for the occasion. Just because you are entertaining your friends and colleagues  in your home, doesn’t mean you don’t have to change your shirt or put on a fresh pair of shorts or slacks. Let your guests know what the attire will be for →