Well and Wise lecture connects social etiquette to employee wellness

The Well and Wise lecture series has focused on BYU employee wellness. On May 28, the lecture focused on something that may not come to mind when thinking of wellness: social etiquette.

Anna King, learning and development trainer at BYU, shared her insights on social etiquette to an audience of faculty and staff in the Wilkinson Student Center.

"(Social etiquette) isn't about knowing what fork to use I mean, that's part of it," King said. "But what it is really about is being comfortable enough in your interactions and your behaviors that you can show your best self."

King's lecture dived into the details of etiquette in networking, dinner and professional settings. She framed each rule in the context of respectfully showing up in the best way.

"Etiquette is based on principles of consideration, respect and honesty," King said in reference to a quote by Peter Post. "It's about being flexible and sincere in your words and actions."

King began with formal dinner etiquette. She shared specific rules, including the right way to spoon soup, butter a dinner roll and manage utensils.

"At a business or social meal, the least important thing we do is eat," King said. "Food is an excuse to get together and to be with one another and to build relationships."

King also shared uniquely relevant advice for the BYU audience.

"What if you're not drinking coffee? What do you do? What if you're not drinking wine?" King asked.

She explained the etiquette is to turn the coffee cup upside down and to politely decline wine when the server comes by.

King discussed etiquette for professional and social settings. She noted the value of being present in social interactions and expressing gratitude.

For those who may be nervous about etiquette, King encouraged them to practice, follow the host and accept that mistakes happen.

King made the connection between social etiquette and employee wellness clear when she highlighted that good manners make people feel valued.

This is not the last opportunity to learn wellness skills. The Well and Wise lecture series will continue.

"They're always offered every single month," Isabel Frandsen, event organizer for Employee Wellness, said. "You can sign up or just walk in and come sit down and have some snacks, and it's just an amazing way to learn and grow in the workplace."

Frandsen said the goal of the event was to help employees feel their best and perform at their best.

"(The lectures) are an opportunity for employees on campus to learn from other employees on campus," Morgan Anderson, Employee Wellness program manager, said.

Anderson said BYU has access to a wide variety of expertise from professors and staff. This expertise can be shared to improve employee wellness.

Recordings of past Well and Wise lectures can be found on the BYU Human Resources website.