Welcome to my ClassyTip for this week which focuses on:

- Appearance
- Behavior
- Communication

Just a quick note to let you know that I will be periodically sending you what I call Kim's KeyTips.

These very special Tips have been identified in my research as qualities people most admire in others. Therefore, they can have a significant impact on a person's business and personal life.

In fact, I feel they are so important that I 've differentiated them with the special name 'Kim's KeyTips'.

  Honesty - KeyTip #1

Did you know that honesty is the sixth most frequently identified behavior that people admire in others, especially in people they think are classy?

This doesn’t mean a person is admired for being “brutally honest at all times”. Just the opposite is true. People who say they are brutally honest, and wear it as a badge of honor, are generally cruel. They delight in hurting others and being confrontational. Honesty always needs to be balanced with compassion and consideration.

Honesty means a person is not deceitful. According to Webster’s Dictionary, Deceitful "implies an intent to make someone believe what is not true, as by giving a false appearance, using fraud etc; apt to lie or cheat; mislead; betray; the deliberate misrepresentation of facts by words, actions etc, generally to further one’s ends."

The person with class has a truthful nature. He or she uses integrity as a critical component in decision-making, and is trustworthy.

A simple example of this type of honesty is in making commitments. When you make a commitment and follow through with it, you’re trustworthy. Should someone ask for your help and you agree, then back out at the last minute, you’ve not only shown yourself to be un-trustworthy, you’ve created a problem for others.

Part of being honest is to know your capabilities and limitations. If you know you can’t fulfill a commitment, don’t make it in the first place. Be honest with yourself, and with the other person. Perhaps you’ll only be able to commit to part of what’s being asked.

Since business commitments aren’t usually ‘optional’, creative time management may become mandatory. Critically and honestly analyze your time management at work. Are you spending too much time “around the water cooler”; are you arriving at work exhausted so your day’s productivity doesn’t really start until after your third cup of coffee? Analyzing your time will give you areas that can be restructured to provide the resources you need for special assignments and projects.

The classy person strives to bring honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness into all relationships with family, friends, and business associates.

Postscript -

I recently purchased a book recommended by an advertising executive, the title is ‘Triggers’. The author is Joe Sugarman, the marketing ‘guru’ behind BluBlocker sunglasses and JSA, the forerunner of The Sharper Image catalog concept.

The book lists the top 30 key emotional ‘triggers’ that motivate people to buy, whether in person, by direct mail, or over the Internet.

The reason I’m sharing this with you is that according to Sugarman, “Honesty ‘is’ one of the most powerful of all the psychological triggers. Even if you try to cover up a lie, your prospect will sense the truth and you’ll kill the sale. Be truthful in everything you say --- almost to the point where you are disarmingly truthful – and you win over your prospect.”

I’m not a sales person, but the insights were fascinating about how we make our buying decisions. If you want more about the book ‘Triggers’, you can GoToAmazon. Rating:

I'm Looking forward to sending you another one of my ClassyTips next Wednesday, and don't forget to visit my Forum that answers your questions on 'Becoming the Best You Can Be'.

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