Title of the book: “The Power of Civility”

Publisher: Thrive Publishing 

Year of publication: 2011 

Number of pages: 212

Price: $ 24.00 

ISBN: 978-0-9829419-6-6

This book is co-authored by 18 top civility and etiquette professionals who share their opinions, experiences and provide insightful tips on how to be more civilized, whether at home, at work, in your community, in public or abroad. 

It includes the following 18 chapters:

• The Power of One by Lew Bayer
• Civility begins at home by Deborah King
• Public Civility by Deborah McGrath
• Stand out - don’t stick out by Tiffany Nielsen
• The Power of Leadership Civility by Laura Barclay
• Building an exceptional professional image by Jules Hirst
• Lunchbox Civility - A tool for leaders by Penelope Paik
• Develop your personal brand and power it with civility by Yasmin Anderson-Smith
• Networking with Civility by Cheryl Walker-Robertson
• Navigating the Social and Psychological complexities of incivility by Suzanne Zazulak Pedro 
• Civility - Making it a Lifestyle by Cindy Ann Peterson
• To Say or not to say, that is the question by Shelby Scarbrough
• Civility Communicates confidence by Tara Crawford
• Civility on campus by Denise Pietzsch
• Uncovering diamonds by Pat Walker Locke
• Dining with Civility by Nonnie Cameron Owens
• R for Mutual Respect by Suzanne Nourse
• Cultural Considerations and Civility by Anita Shower 

--> What I particularly liked was: 

* That someone had the idea to publish a book on civility which includes so many different views, opinions, experiences and thoughts from experts working in the same industry. I wished other professionals working in other sectors would be able to provide similar resources. It would be highly interesting. 

* Those parts in various articles where Etiquette Professionals share their own personal experiences when dealing with other people. Stories make it always more memorable, ALWAYS. 

* Reading about other Etiquette Professionals’ background allowed me also to find out more about their credentials, how they write their profiles and how they differ from each other. The list at the end is also very helpful because it allows you to see instantly the location of various etiquette professionals. A good idea! 

* Some interesting new quotes on civility which I would like to add to my next edition of my Book on “Etiquette Quotes”. 

--> My Top 3 articles were: 

1.) The Power of Leadership Civility by Laura Barclay 

She included the results of a survey of business professionals on their thoughts and experiences of workplace civility, the negative impact of incivility, the different types of incivility, benefits of leadership civility for business and how to create a civil workplace. Highly interesting!

2.) Lunchbox Civility - A tool for leaders by Penelope Paik

She provides great tips on how to establish a clear, functional, successful and effective civility initiative for you and your organisation. Brilliant! 

Furthermore, I got another book tip which talks about “The Cost of Bad Behaviour”. 

3.) R for Mutual Respect - A booster for civility in Healthcare by Suzanne Nourse

I loved her article because everyone can somehow relate to what she wrote and - at some point in life - experienced similar situations when going to a healthcare professional. Suzanne provided 8 symptoms and remedies from the healthcare professional’s perspective and 7 symptoms and remedies from the patient’s perspective. Something particularly helpful and interesting for an Etiquette Consultant who trains companies in that regard. I wished more etiquette books would have a similar approach in which they don’t just give you general tips on manners but also what to do or how to react while experiencing inappropriate behaviour. 

Every Etiquette Professional in this book wrote important things that we should bear in mind in our social as well as professional life. However, these were my personal three favourite articles because they covered topics that I did not come across in other etiquette books so far. As mentioned earlier, interesting survey results, a symptoms/remedy approach and how to implement an effective civility initiative inside a company. Wonderful, truly enjoyed reading it!  

--> How would I rate it? 

I would give it a 8.5 out of 10. I would have given it a 10 if:

* it would have included some more topics which are hardly to find in other books or online. There are already many resources available which cover topics, such as: table manners, image etc.  

* it would have included also other Etiquette Professionals from Europe, Asia and Australia who share their experiences, views and tips.   

* it would have included one article about civility online (tech etiquette). 

I was a bit less interested in reading about political civility and psychological complexities of incivility. However, I would recommend this book to companies, employees and definitely also to other Etiquette Professionals because of the diversity of topics, writing styles and views. 

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