We have looked at various mindsets in this column. We can evolve to any which makes us powerful and impactful, however in the world where we live in where EQ reaches us faster to our goals, acquiring a courteous mindset helps us leap ahead.
Courtesy is a super power because it builds human connects, better acceptability and trust in your professional and personal worlds. The most important catalyst here to help you change your mindset and fire up the courtesy trait in you is empathy, as empathy really makes you understand how other people think and react. After all, it’s a people’s world.
What is courtesy essentially?
It’s your ability to be able to understand others, acknowledging their presence and respecting them while making them feel completely comfortable with you. They feel valued. So courtesy is far beyond, thank you and please. It should come from within and must be spontaneous, as fake courtesy stands out like a red light and repels people. Here is another way to explain what courtesy or a courteous mindset essentially is – you proactively think for others and actively behave aligned towards them. You should be perceived as a positive catalyst who creates a positive and a supportive environment for others.
What positive changes do you feel after cultivating a courteous mindset?
You see a completely new set of behaviours when you exhibit a genuine courteous mindset. First and foremost, you experience better, improved and long-lasting relationships. You also receive more respect from others who reciprocate the respect you give them. In business, being courteous results in better impact and you get acknowledged as a professional faster. A courteous mindset creates a better and stress-free environment around – which boosts positivity and mental health. Courtesy also breaks through any negative preconceived notions and allows people to judge you on pure merit
External signs of courtesy
Lack of clarity leads to misperceptions and sometimes you could be misunderstood because of your behaviour but there are some simple external signs of courtesy which have great impact. For a start, being polite and actually treating humans as living beings. Even when you have a dialogue with them of disagreement you show them respect and value for their opinion. Just action and expressing yourself does not necessarily bring you your desired goals, sometimes you need to re-consider the negative value of what you say and adjust accordingly. Courtesy makes you win long term.
Why even basic or common courtesy still matters
Common courtesy is defined in the dictionary as “the basic level of politeness that you expect from someone”. It’s also at top of the rack of ‘being human’. There are times in today’s world where people do not even have common courtesy. Take the case of even flagging an auto down in Mumbai. When you exhibit common courtesy, they are just dumbstruck as they do not know how to respond, so they choose to ignore you but respond immediately when you say “Abay, sunayi nahi deta?” (You idiot, are you deaf?)! In reality, courtesy actual builds and nurtures a cohesive, respectful and positive society.
Leverage this super power to your advantage
The bad news is that courtesy practice is gradually becoming a rare phenomenon. Recent events including the Covid pandemic have created mental health problems and loneliness. This has pushed forward, the trait of being self-centered and the philosophy of living for the day. The courteous mindset really makes you stand out as a positive disruptor as people get magnetically drawn to you. Even during conflicts which are commonplace nowadays, courtesy can diffuse tense situations and resolve conflicts in a better manner. Courtesy spreads fast and the world at dusk sees lights coming on!
A courteous mindset must be nurtured and allowed to bloom. Its really wonderful for you, those around you and the society at large.
“Courtesy: costs nothing but buys you everything” Anonymous
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
Be the first to comment on "Courtesy is a Super Power"