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.

A BYU Well & Wise lecture on April 8 invited employees to reflect on how spiritual wellness connects to their daily lives, with a focus on the atoning power of Jesus Christ.

The lecture featured Church history and doctrine professor Anthony Sweat. The event is part of a series hosted by BYU Employee Wellness that encourages employees to learn from campus experts and strengthen different aspects of their well-being.

Morgan Anderson, BYUs Employee Wellness program manager, said the series is centered on helping employees build a foundation of holistic wellness.

The mission of Employee Wellness is to cultivate a campus culture of holistic wellness, Anderson said. The purpose behind the Well and Wise Lecture series is to create learning opportunities for employees that come from experts from within the campus community.

Anderson said this lecture focused specifically on spiritual wellness, especially following Easter weekend and general conference.

The hope was that learning about Christ would fill their cup, so to speak, which would inspire them to move forward in their endeavors with faith, hope and stronger motivation, Anderson said.

Sweats lecture emphasized that the Atonement is personal and applies to everyday challenges, not just moments of repentance.

We can say Jesus forgives sins, Sweat said. But you and I need to be able to say, Jesus forgives my sins.

He encouraged attendees to rely on Christ for strength in their daily lives, describing grace as a source of support beyond individual effort.

That enabling power, sometimes called grace, is what helps us do things we couldnt do by ourselves, Sweat said. Its not just about being forgiven. Its about being strengthened.

Sweat also spoke about the difference between curing and healing, explaining that while challenges may not always be removed, individuals can still experience peace.

I think its a greater miracle when someone is at peace with God when a malady remains than if its divinely cured, Sweat said.

Attendees said the lecture offered a practical way to understand spiritual principles.

Lareen Pratte, a fine arts ticket office manager, said she attended after seeing the event in a campus newsletter and recognizing Sweat.

I thought how he broke it down is really clever, Pratte said. He uses words that you will remember.

Pratte said the message emphasized that Christs Atonement is available to everyone.

Everybody has the opportunity to repent and recover and heal, she said. It really doesnt matter the depths of sin that youve gotten yourself into.

She added that the perspective felt meaningful and applicable.

I think this is a really different perspective than what I grew up with, and its so much healthier, Pratte said.

The Well & Wise Lecture Series continues throughout the remainder of the school year, with Hank Smith as the next speaker.

These lectures offer employees opportunities to step away from work, connect with colleagues and focus on their overall wellness not just physical wellness, but spiritual as well.