Do you have a colleague who can seemingly do no wrong – at least in the eyes of the boss? Any mistake or misstep of theirs is quickly dismissed and forgotten. Or perhaps you know someone who can’t seem to do anything right, whose actions routinely generate eye-rolls and frustrated sighs. When they ... [ Read More ]
Diane GottsmanEmail diane@dianegottsman.com
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Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.
Easter Party Etiquette for the Inspired Host
As planning is underway for hosting this year’s Easter celebration, I have pulled together a few favorite ideas which include everything from preparing your home to keeping little bunnies busy. An Easter “Hello!” Sweetly colored outdoor decor is popping up around the neighborhood. Rainbows of ... [ Read More ]
Tips for Organizing Your Files
It’s Organize Your Files Week, so I’ve asked our resident organizing expert to share her thoughts on bringing order to a cluttered desk. Keep reading for tips from Modified by Melissa. Raise your hand if you have a stack of papers sitting on your desk or countertop that you don’t want to look at. ... [ Read More ]
Bridal Shower Etiquette
Let the celebrations begin! Your closest friend is tying the knot and you are her maid of honor. The proposal photos have been posted, her Pinterest boards are quickly filling with ideas and she is hoping you will host the bridal shower. You are up for the challenge but have no clue where to ... [ Read More ]
Rules for the New Relaxed Office Dress Code
A question you may ask yourself is if you should swap your navy pantsuit for a modern jogger and cool pair of sneakers. Not too long ago, the answer would have been a resounding “no.” Today, the answer is a little murky. According to recent headlines, there is a major shift in corporate dress ... [ Read More ]
Making Time to Exercise in the Morning
For many, the New Year’s lull has set in, and the commitment to exercise has hit the wall. Why is it so hard to find time to work out but not as challenging to wait in the drive-thru for a bean burrito after leaving the office? Studies show one of the key components to a productive day begins ... [ Read More ]
Business Etiquette: How to Decline a Job Offer
It’s not uncommon for someone to apply for a position and, after deliberation and further information, decide it’s not the right fit. What may have sounded like the perfect job could quickly turn out to be an option best suited for someone else. If you have interviewed, and then been offered a ... [ Read More ]
Going Away Party Etiquette
Sooner or later, you or someone you have come to know and admire will move on. The circumstances may vary, such as starting a new job, a military transfer, graduating from college, relocating to a new town or leaving the neighborhood. Celebrating a departure is often bittersweet. Sending them ... [ Read More ]
Finding Personal Time in a Busy Professional World
In his popular Medium article, 5-Hour Rule: If you’re not spending 5 hours per week learning, you’re being irresponsible, Michael Simmons challenges readers with a thought-provoking title and the facts to back it up. Simmons has a valid point: if some of the world’s busiest and most successful ... [ Read More ]
8 Things Brides Forget When Planning Their Wedding
As wedding season approaches, my inbox is buzzing with a host of etiquette-related questions. The happy couple (and their closest friends and family members) want to be sure everything is in place for the joyous occasion. Wedding etiquette is one of my favorite topics to cover; my blog archives may ... [ Read More ]
The Undeniable Power of a Thank You Note
Gratitude is big these days. From personal mantras and meditations to the practice of keeping a journal, the idea of noticing and appreciating the good things in life is widely recognized as a pathway to happiness. When it comes to expressing gratitude, there’s one tool that creates a ripple of ... [ Read More ]
St. Patrick’s Day: History and Quiz
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 to honor the patron saint and although the official holiday was established in 1631, St. Patrick lived in the late 4th and early 5th-century. He is known for many things, including being captured by Irish pirates at just 16 years of age and later, his ... [ Read More ]
Positive Reasons to Take a Pay Cut
As your career progresses, it is reasonable to expect the further you go, the bigger your paycheck grows. However, there may be a time in your career when you must decide if taking a financial step backward is a good trade-off for other benefits. While you must consider your budget and ... [ Read More ]
9 Networking Tips to Communicate With Confidence
People can make connections everywhere – at job fairs, chamber or association gatherings and even at the farmer’s market. Attending networking events is not to be overlooked when it comes to establishing solid connections. Face-to-face interacting remains an essential part of growing ... [ Read More ]
Young Professionals: Alcohol at a Job Interview—Yes or No?
A large part of my business is training university students on the importance of dining etiquette skills, particularly those related to second job interviews conducted over a meal. The question consistently arises regarding whether (or not) to accept alcohol at a lunch job interview. I have observed ... [ Read More ]
