Etiquette and the Powerful Role it has Played in Our History

Do you feel that soft skills just make people seem soft? Or that etiquette training makes a difference only to a select and privileged few?

Well, think again. The following proves the opposite and tells of how one lady's etiquette teachings brought about one of the first big steps toward racial acceptance in our country, right at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Read the article HERE

Earlier this week, the principle designers of the "Motown Sound" paid tribute to Ms. Maxine Powell, director of Motown's "Finishing School". 

Read about Ms. Powell HERE

In the late ‘50s and ‘60s, with decorum as her instrument, Ms. Powell armed her students – the young musical talents of Motown – with the tool of etiquette.

At a racially-tense period in our country’s history, Ms. Powell’s guidance elevated those talents by teaching them how to present themselves, how to treat people, how to dress respectfully and how to relate to people of all races. 

This empowered them to work at their crafts with confidence. They presented themselves in socially-acceptable ways and created positive impressions as a result. 

If only for the few minutes that a ‘45-record’ played, common, positive experiences existed in different cultures throughout the country.

New relationships were cultivated not only across various races, but across generations as well, perpetuating the idea that we are all the same under the skin; the basic principle of the Civil Rights Movement.  

With the help of etiquette, 'change' occurred, regardless of how small. Of course, it was not the sole cause of change, nor did it solve all the problems of the times, but the polish provided through Ms. Powell’s etiquette teachings definitely stirred up a positive beginning by bringing about small measures of unity through awareness.

As talented as they were, the individuals in groups such as the Temptations, the Miracles, The Jackson 5 and the Supremes would not have been viewed as competent, creative nor credible without the basic and continuous grooming that Ms. Powell provided.

 

So, if you still think that etiquette is a mere 'nicety' and nothing more; if you think it is an arena that only ‘rich’ people should be in...

Remember Maxine Powell and the power she wielded with her tools of etiquette.

Remember the success of those young people and the use of that power that granted them social acceptance by many who had previously shunned them.

Remember all this and arm your children with the same tools for success.

Now I'll ask you again if you think soft skills make people soft. Hopefully you see just how much power soft skills can bring. 

Etiquette is power.

It helped place a racially-divided nation on the same sheet of music...literally.

And if that's not power, I don't know what is.



Have you ever had any type of etiquette training? If so, what kind and when? 

Please post your comments below.