Communications and Public Speaking: Creating a Culture with Dignity and Respect

Abstract:

We usually define ‘civil’ as meaning polite and courteous. It’s related to ‘civilization’ and recalls the way we interact with each other within the guidelines of societal rules and implied codes of conduct. We need civility in our civilization to organize ourselves and keep things running smoothly. Without it, we invite conflict into our affairs. 

The same goes for businesses and other organizations that bring together people for meaningful interaction. In these circumstances, everyone must be civil or else the group’s ability to do their work properly will be in jeopardy. In the workplace, teams and groups will usually have their own official and unspoken rules of civility. 

Not being civil means demonstrating a rude or impolite attitude or behavior towards others with the effect of making them uncomfortable.

This could include behaviors such as:

• Insulting or demeaning comments
• Jokes made at someone’s expense
• Loud, distracting, or inappropriate conversation 
• Being discourteous or impolite towards someone

As project managers, how can you set the standard of civility for your team?

 

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this session, you will know
  • Perils of working and living in an uncivil environment
  • How to avoid making disparaging and rude comments
  • Tips for creating respect and dignity

Speaker

 Sharon A. Hill, author, speaker, and MBA spent more than 20 years as a development and marketing manager at Fortune 500 giant IBM.

She is the president of Sharon Hill International which is her motivational and educational speaking business. Sharon is a certified etiquette trainer, trained by the American Business Etiquette Trainers Association.

Combining her passion for business etiquette, diversity in the workplace and her MBA research on Organizational Behavior, Sharon is recognized as an authority on American business etiquette for companies, universities, groups, associations and individuals.

Sharon has served on several Boards of Directors including:

• 2013-2015 Board of Directors President for Big Brothers Big Sisters – Raleigh Chapter
• 2013-2014 Past President for the National Association of Women Business Owners- Raleigh Chapter.
• 2013-2015 Toastmasters International Director
• 2017 – Present – Goodwill Community Foundation Member

She was recently appointed as a Chair of the Orange County Economic Development Advisory Board.

Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce named Sharon Hill as the 2016 Woman Business Owner of the Year.

Sharon is the author of five books that focus on etiquette, succeeding in college and corporate America.   She has been heard on numerous radio programs throughout the country.

She is married to her husband and soul mate, Elmer Hill, and lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.