Susan C. Young

High fives and fist bumps have become the popular alternatives to traditional handshakes, especially among the younger generations. As a new social norm, they are used as a greeting, an approval, an acknowledgement, a celebration, and a gesture of understanding. High fives and fist bumps are also viewed as a healthier alternative to traditional handshakes because they don__ spread germs.

Being brave is not for the light-hearted. Bravery takes fortitude__he very act of bravery prevents anyone from knowing you were ever afraid in the first place.

The Art of Action explores specific action steps you can take for personal and professional transformation. Start by taking the initiative to be kind, courageous, and polite.

You already know the difference between being a gracious person versus a rude one.

It is unimpressive to interrupt another person while they are talking. Interrupting someone in mid-sentence demonstrates that your focus is on yourself, not the person talking. I had a friend who used a humorous retort whenever someone would interrupt him. He would graciously, albeit sarcastically, say, ____ sorry, I didn__ mean to speak while you were interrupting._ It always got a laugh, yet he was cleverly letting the intruder know of his infraction without being too confrontational.

I was once hired by an organization to deliver a workshop on networking. The goal was to provide their engineers with tools and strategies for expanding their circles of influence__o foster innovation, collaboration, and teambuilding. One of the engineers raised her hand in the middle of the program and bluntly said, ____ happy with the people in my life and don__ care to add any more._ I respect and appreciate her position and have sometimes felt the same way.But, as long as we are alive, we will meet, greet, and interact with new people. Even if we are not inviting them into our personal lives, being socially brave will open new doors which may have remained closed otherwise.

Ernest Hemingway was a champion of the common man. He once said, __here is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility is being superior to your former self.

Become a __ood finder_ and seek to acknowledge the best you see in others.

Stepping out and stepping up can be an intimidating experience, especially in social situations where the outcomes are unpredictable and uncertain. Have you ever been reluctant to . . . _ Say "no?"_ Request help?_ Ask for a raise?_ Stand up to a bully?_ Talk about tough topics?_ Confront a friend or spouse?_ Speak up and share your opinion?_ Begin a conversation with a stranger?_ Deliver a presentation or speak in public?_ Talk about the __hite elephant_ in the room?_ Befriend people who are much different than you?_ Make sales calls because you don__ want to be rejected?_ Approach a new group of people at a networking event?_ Go to an event by yourself where you did not know anyone?

If you like the relationship results you have been getting and don__ see any need for improvement, your status quo may actually be your sweet spot for comfort and contentment. That is a wonderful place to be.However, if you are like most of us, staying stuck in your status quo may prevent you from striving, thriving, and growing in your relationship possibilities.

Fear is the number one reason why people do not take action. The divine irony is that most of the fears we experience are self-generated and born out of our own imaginings, hence the acronym False Evidence Appearing Real.

To cultivate bravery and courage, get involved in a cause you are passionate about.Serving a vision bigger than yourself changes your focus from self-doubt to whatever action is necessary for the vision to succeed. __hen in doubt, take it out.

ASK YOURSELF: Are you presenting yourself in the best of all lights, online and off, and demonstrating the dignity of good manners? Make sure of it! If not, it may come back to haunt you.

Become aware of the physical distance and spatial orientation that you experience while in the company of others. Being empathetic and sensitive to a person__ physical comfort zone can have a huge effect on the way in which you are received and perceived.

Ask any person trained in sign language and they will confirm the fact that you can talk with your hands. Your hand gestures communicate for you and are an integral part of your language. While some people may come by hand gestures naturally, you can learn to be even more expressive to get your points across__nd to be memorable.

To cultivate bravery and courage, interview brave people and learn their secrets.Whom do you know that displays courage and confidence? Ask them for their best practices, mimic their actions, follow their steps, utilize their methods. Ask if they will mentor you.

We must remember that some hand gestures which are commonly used and widely accepted in the U.S. might be considered rude or offensive in other countries. As always, I encourage you to be mindful of how and where you use certain gestures to assure you maintain your professionalism and positive impressions.

A man worth his salt will treat a lady like a lady and make the effort to be a gentleman. While independent women are fully capable of being self-reliant, the majority whom I know appreciate being treated with respect, consideration, and chivalry. For the women who yearn for the old-fashioned, good-hearted, chivalrous guy, I promise, they do exist.