Refinement Society

The turning point in the lives of those who succeed usually comes at the moment of some crisis, through which they are introduced to their "other selves." In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to get caught up in the constant motion of the present and the anticipation of the future. However, the concept of "flashback moving forward" invites us to pause, reflect, and glean insights from our past experiences to better navigate the uncharted territories that lie ahead. As we are only 26 days away from the new year, let's explore the profound wisdom that can be gained by looking back, using the lessons of yesterday as a compass for a more purposeful and informed tomorrow. The Power of Reflection : Reflection is a powerful tool that often gets overlooked in our fast-paced lives. It involves consciously looking back on our experiences, and acknowledging both the triumphs and the tribulations. This introspective journey allows us to identify patter

I love how clothes can suggest a whole story - by Brandon Taylor, a novelist Clothes have always been a form of self-expression. They are a canvas on which we paint our personalities, beliefs, and moods. But are your clothes truly reflective of who you are today?  "You don't really hear about the clothes unless someone is dressed with a little bit of STYLE in them" - Refinement Society-  Let's explore how our clothing choices mirror not only our current selves. Personal Style evolution over the years   Personal style is not static; it evolves over time. What you wore in your earlier days or teens might not resonate with your present self. As we grow, learn, travel, and experience life, our values, interests, and outlook change. It's only natural that our clothing preferences follow suit. Consider when you were a college student who once embraced a bohemian style. As you transition into the professional world, your wardrobe may shift towards more polished and busin

Leaders can and must lead, but employees from all ranks of a company - from the back office and the front - must participate in the shift to CUSTOMER INTIMACY. A team spirit, and a sense of shared GOALS, must light up a company's efforts at intimacy. Teams of people working together create more excitement, more energy, more ideas, and more enthusiasm than individuals ever can. Try to imagine your own company. Think about your current position in the marketplace and your prospects for the future. What are your aspirations, your hopes, and your dreams?  Customer Intimacy offers tailored solutions to its customers. Together, the salesperson and customer sit together to commit to a shared goal.  Photo courtesy: Unsplash Lessons from the BEST Selling Companies and Brands, who specifically focus on one of the key "Value Disciplines", which is "Customer Intimacy". How to get there? The future is largely uncertain and unexplored; and the capacity to act, rather than to

In the business world, it is often difficult to know when our actions are ethical and when they are not. How Far is too far when faced with the ethics questionnaire? The more you compete with others for business, the more difficult it will be to decide what's ethical and what's not. Competition drives the economic system, legal system, and political system. Competition drives our society, and that means we are all pitching, all the time. Image Courtesy: Unsplash by Kelly Sikkema How far should a sales pitch actually go? As an Image cum Strategist Coach, I've found myself faced with scores of ethical dilemmas.  Here are some basic ethical principles that can help guide our decisions or help us determine whether a particular action is ethical or not. Full disclosure is the best policy. Anything that can be done openly and publicly without embarrassment is inherently ethical. But the converse is not true- things that must remain secret aren't necessarily unethical. Competi

Why do people like looking in the mirror? Why do people like looking in a mirror? We mostly mirror unconsciously. One of the fastest ways to create a good first impression and improve rapport is to use the mirror image. People will think you're reading their minds.  Why use the mirror image? Why do people like looking in the mirror? Ever seen a yawn become contagious? If you smile at someone, don't they smile back? Doesn't it make you feel happier?  Sometimes, we don't have to say anything or too much, or crack our heads to use any chat lines. In the initial stage, it's a sincere SMILE that makes a difference. Once you've ' broken the ice ', words become the focus. Remember a good smile is an asset in building relationships as it helps to connect. Leaders and successful business people can make very effective use of this intangible skill in improving leadership and interpersonal relationship building.  Image Credit: By Alexandr Ivanov of Pixabay You smil

How you handle conflict depends less on YOUR STYLE than on what each situation demands Anytime you bring two or more people together to solve a problem or make a decision - that is, to negotiate - you may well end up with conflict. Conflict is inevitable. Even with the most level-headed or good characteristics, people will engage in conflict. Is conflict bad? Not necessarily. But unmanaged conflict can be harmful to us as individuals and to our organisation. Handled right, however, it can be a good thing. The Chinese symbol for crisis is made up of two characters: danger and opportunity. A poorly handled conflict can be dangerous, relationships may suffer and productivity may decline. If left unmanaged, it can lead to health problems, divert energy, time, and resources from legitimate and important personal and organisational goals, and result in corporate sabotage and financial and emotional problems. But a skillfully handled conflict can be beneficial. It can function as a safety val

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power -Lao Tzu Are you involved in work and career that relationships suffer? Or perhaps you trade off too many career ambitions for love and relationships. Yet these two life's essential needs - to succeed and be nurtured - don't have to conflict. Whenever a woman comes into my office with an opening statement, "I don't know what I really want to do with my life." I shall begin by posing that simple question, "What do you love?" And the silence usually follows.  We understand everyone has a dream to achieve happiness or success, but may not know how to. Many of us have never given a thought about the passion in our lives, and are puzzled by the question.  One of my clients was making a comfortable salary as an executive secretary at a brokerage firm, but she had no interest in finance as a career, I felt she has the style, intelligen