LAST weekend will be rated as one of my empowering weekends for this year. Saturday morning was the first session for the Etiquette for Tomorrow’s Leaders”. I decided to sit at the side of the class and do some work on the computer, but the information was so significant that it quickly got my attention. Some of the information I knew, and it was a good refresher, but some was new. I admire the techniques Phil used, which connected well with her students. I have seen people teach and just regurgitate information from a book, but this was different. This was not the first experience of my friend in action, but I am always in awe.
Her personal stories that were incorporated into the content give it more meaning. Participants sent reviews after the first day and I will share the reviews below from the two youngest in the class.
“The etiquette session was truly remarkable, offering invaluable insights into refined social behaviours. There were engaging discussions and practical tips that left me feeling confident and empowered to navigate various social situations with grace and poise. It was a genuinely enriching experience that will undoubtedly enhance my interactions.” These were the words of Leteefah Forde, who was crowned Miss Global International Guyana 2023. Absolutely stunning young lady with a smile that will melt your heart. She has a presence with a warm heart and I believe that she will represent us well in Jamaica next month.
Naomi Roberts is a very pretty and shy young lady. One of the things I noticed about her from a few years ago when she did the Model Image programme is how focused she is. I love the fact that she and her mother are doing this course together. She WhatsApp me to warn me that her takeaway for the first day will be long, lol
“First impression is one of the most important things when meeting with someone for the first time. How someone views/ interprets you will determine how they treat you at first. This includes how you dress, enter the room, your energy and your speech.
On important occasions, like job interviews, people look at how you dress for the job. Your qualifications are the second thing they will see. When it comes to shy people who do not have a natural smiling face, pretend you are in an audition as a smiling person.
Echoing dealing with matching your level with the person you are conversing with. In this topic I learnt of 3 levels of speech:
● Acrolect (being the highest level)
●Mesolect
●Basolect (being the lowest level)
Handshakes to keep are short. Always use your right hand.
When introducing someone, you just need to remember the law of gravity. The superior person’s name is always called first. Unless when calling them to do a speech, the superior person’s name is called last. When dealing with persons of different cultures, it is better to know their culture than to unknowingly disrespect them. Always hand your business cards facing them. However they hand it to you, you must receive it the same way. As for flags, the hosting country’s flag must always be on the right-hand side. Imagine her take, after all four Saturdays? I LOVE IT!”
Part of my Saturday evening was spent connecting some mentees from Africa with the Mentors from the USA and that was awesome. I will amplify that later because it needs more than just a few sentences. Sunday morning, I woke up with great intentionality to make Sunday a masterpiece. Early meditation always sets the pace for a day of elevation. Prayers and worship, then sermon online, continued to add to a relaxing Sunday. I had to see another pageant delegate, but it was 11-year-old Renesa Lewis this time. She is competing in the Miss Princess Guyana Pageant on September 24 at the National Cultural Centre. I must commend Nelson, the Founder of this pageant, for the determination, consistency and discipline he has exhibited over the years. I attended the launch, which was very impressive, and my entire lineup of adorable young ladies stole my heart. The activities planned for the pageant will contribute to the well-being of all these girls so they all are winners. One of the challenges is to have an interview with an Iconic Guyana Woman and submit an essay. Renesa and I had a wonderful time together as I went down memory lane. We both realised that we are the firstborn, first pageant at 11, can’t sing even if our lives depended on it and a few other things. I shared my experience in my pageant at 11 in my hometown, Bartica and encouraged her to view winning in a different light. I was first runner up in the pageant, but in my mind I won because it was the beginning of my journey to becoming a confident woman. I also advised her to enjoy the journey and build relationships because that can benefit her for a lifetime. This interaction brought back years of pleasant memories of my life, which set the atmosphere to interact with some of my mentees.
We sometimes meet at Oasis to have drinks and a snack while sharing what is happening in our lives and our future plans.
We created some other invaluable life experiences. I am super proud of the intentional people in these pictures. I felt empowered and enjoyed the positive energy that was deposited. The compelling stories were riveting and encouraged me to continue to share the tools to empower others. Sherica Ricci Ambrose refers to us as a family and I totally agree with her.
Someone shared about manifesting the car she decided after the Confidence Becomes You course, and now she is going after the house. Others shared about promotions, business, health, career etc. It is possible for us all to live our best lives no matter what.
I am anticipating another transformation in these upcoming courses as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
