This is an online article published only on The KAIST Herald website.
On May 22, the KAIST Manner Seminar was held by the Undergraduate Student Council and the KAIST Leadership Center at the Creative Learning Building (E11). Mi Sun Lee, the manner instructor for KAIST undergraduate freshmen and the speaker of the seminar, outlined the effects of manners and etiquettes on a person and gave advice on how to develop and sustain socially acceptable behaviors.
Lee is the president of Korea Manner School and the representative director of BizAid LTD, a company that specializes in consulting project management, design, and implementation of customer relationship management solutions for businesses. She was an instructor for the Korean Air Service Academy and a professor at various institutions. In addition, she is well-known for her numerous appearances on television programs and for the four books she has published.
The seminar opened with an outline of the importance of manners and services for businesses. Due to the rapidly changing world, most businesses encounter constant changes in areas such as technology, production, marketing, and service. From these vacillating categories, service plays an important role, as the general trend nowadays is to win the hearts of customers rather than to satisfy their needs. Therefore, Lee emphasized that excellence in manners through image marketing will most likely benefit businesses.
Shifting the focus more towards the students, Lee introduced the phrase “the moment of truth.” When people meet for the first time, first impressions are decided depending on their behavior, looks, and voice within a very short amount of time. For example, flight attendants for airlines must make their customers feel valued in fifteen seconds. Thus, students should attempt to mold positive behaviors into habits so that those manners can become a part of them.
To help students incorporate positive manners and etiquettes into their lifestyle, many examples were given; If one notices newcomers in his or her lecture, one should approach and greet them first; in a subway, if one bumps into someone accidentally, both parties should apologize to each other; while declining a request, eye contact should be made; when eating, paces should be kept approximately the same as their company; and when receiving alcohol, the method of accepting the drink should be appropriate with respect to the situation.
Lee concluded the seminar by highlighting that for students to be great leaders, skills are important, but positive personalities are imperative. Moreover, people should always pay attention to and respect others, and practice putting on a cheerful smile. Also, upon seeing new people, they should “meet with a cool mind and approach with a warm heart.”