The Leverage of Politeness

You are judged by how you make others feel. We focus too much on making the best first impression, but part of an initial impression is also how others feel in your presence. One way to achieve this is by leveraging a polite tone and genuine courtesy. This is one of the most strategic levers because it highlights your mental strength. Talking politely to someone cannot be faked beyond a point. It means processing the information in your mind, along with the emotions that emerge from that information, and consciously choosing to respond in a manner that hurts nobody. If you think being polite is tough for you because you like to “be real” with people, then you are wrong. Think about someone you absolutely love. Think about that girl you like. How were you with her? Did you lose your mind while talking to her? Were you ever rude to her, even when she got angry with you? No. You were always polite, always courteous. So the capability exists within you. You are simply choosing not to…