The Art of You

A recent report estimated that 52% of those aged under 30 lack confidence their world knowledge, ability to build trust with senior people and in how they present themselves. Can we correct this?

“The Art of You” is focused on helping coach people of all ages on how they socially interact with others and develop their own knowledge. There are consistent reports that many young emerging talent do not feel comfortable in their social skills and ability to natural talk to senior players, let alone impress through their own presentation.

So many talk about personal brands but this is more about coaching talent in what used to be genuinely important social skills – the art of conversation, the art of networking, being able to listen, dressing well to influence and impress, and having strong levels of etiquette. This is about boosting personal skills but also how they impress others through action.

It is said that each passing generation is more educated than the one before. Maybe. However, education is one part of the equation, another is social skills. After the pandemic most would accept that how one behaves and acts towards others is of real importance.

“The Art of You” is a combination of both. It is not about personal brand but it is an art form to learn; in how “you” can create a strong impression through how you talk, behave and act. However, knowledge does come into play as one also has to be able to hold conversation with anyone of any level and so a culture of continuous learning is part of the approach. Are you able to talk to a board director with the same ease as a janitor, with both feeling the better for having met you? Vice versa, are you able to talk to a janitor with as much ease as your friends?

These skills impact in all environments and relationships. Many argue that the digital world and technology and created a new social norm; new behaviours, new dress codes, new accepted ways. Maybe but the evidence of the past year has also been that it has been those with trusted relationships who have been out to continue to do business and out perform those who have relied on digital methods?

Digital is here to stay and grow but so are relationships and one todays needs to be skilled in both but also able to understand the world at large. It is said that due to the way that the digital world works, most people only read and hear the very views they support, so it is natural that knowledge has declined. It is estimated that the average middle level executive is 30% less knowledgeable than 10 years ago and at the same time, is 25% more narrow in focus; together they create a barrier to progression. So how is this reversed?

The Art of You is about coaching talent is to be broader in thinking, stronger listeners and learners and skilled socially, able to converse with anyone and more able to influence.

The Art of You is yet to launch but is already discussions with both businesses to support younger talent first coming into the workplace, middle managers who need to evolve and also on a personal level with those who want to improve.

Relationships will once again be of premium value and so will be how one behaves.