These are strategies that will help you become the virtuous man people will find easy to engage with and accept. For instance, a gentleman says “please” and “thank you”, holds doors for others, tips generously, and smiles often. Besides, opens doors for women, which is thoughtful. And she will appreciate it.
Surprisingly, being a gentleman is still relevant today though the definition of a gentleman may have changed for the better. Today, it’s undeniable that money and power don’t buy class. You may be rich but unkind, obnoxious, and cruel to others. Or you may be the average guy who strives to succeed and help those around to succeed as well. 12 ways to be a gentleman will help you impact others positively with your choices. So, as a gentleman, you should be:
Polite, reliable, and warm
Being a gentleman means you should always focus on treating everyone the same. Be polite, reliable, and warm to all because this is the mark of a fine man. Likewise, the ability to easily communicate with a wide range of people is fundamental to creating a gentlemanly status.
Listening more and talking less
When you talk, you’re repeating what you already know. Hence you don’t learn much from speaking. But if you listen, you might learn something new. Hence while you’re listening, really listen, engage more, and understand what’s being said, not just waiting to jump in and start talking. So, as a gentleman, you will be well-spoken, a great listener, and can also connect effectively with others.
Committed to good hygiene
Taking care of your appearance through good hygiene and proper grooming are the marks of a gentleman. This is because you know that your appearance, dressing, grooming, and carrying yourself, open doors to new opportunities.
A servant leader, generous, and positive
As a gentleman and a servant leader committed to interpersonal kindness, you create a progressive workplace ethic that boosts loyalty, interaction, and performance. In addition, you’re positive, generous with time, resources, and wisdom, and always look out for ways to help others.
Engaging and compassionate
You’re compassionate and willing to engage those around you. Therefore, you work to understand where others are coming from, even when their perspective is at odds with yours. You engage, but don’t attack. Although, there are certain moral absolutes that you should insist upon as professionals.
Respectful in treatment of women
From opening doors and pulling out chairs to speaking gently and in a caring tone, you’re a gentleman because you understand the value of making a woman feel special and cherished in every interaction. Also being a gentleman means you’ll not abuse women sexually or violently.
Virtuous
Honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence are all examples of virtues. These virtues are attitudes that enable you to act in ways that develop this “virtuous” potential and drive the ideals you have adopted.
True to yourself
The first rule every gentleman should live by is to be authentic. To be authentic means being true to yourself and trusting your judgments and decisions. Eventually, people are more likely to trust you as well. When this happens, your overall potential and self-esteem increase. Another good thing is that being yourself is less stressful than trying to be someone you’re not.
Living in the moment
Living in the moment and enjoying means putting your phone down when hanging out with friends or family or out on a date. Because constantly looking down at your phone shows disregard for the people around you. Also, you’re missing the human connection with people and enjoying the social interaction, the main reasons for being out.
Practicing good posture
Stop slouching. When you slouch, you look weak, unsure of yourself, sad, and depressed. And when you’re in that mode, people will unlikely want to talk or listen to you. So, sit up in your chair. And stand tall. This is better for your health and helps project a more powerful image.
Kind and show respect
How you treat people says a lot about you. And it also affects how people see you. It doesn’t matter whether it’s face-to-face, on the phone, or online. If you treat people well, if you’re kind, and show respect and empathy, that reflects well on you and strengthens your aura.
Reinventing yourself
One of the 12 ways to be a gentleman is the motivation to seek new challenges and the will to learn. This propensity for new ventures shows through reading, coaching, ongoing education, and time spent with mentors. The investment in lifelong learning makes you emotionally mature, mentally sharp, informed, and not ashamed to ask for help.
Photo credit: Creative Commons
Abiola is the founder of Indulge™ group of companies, a healthy-living focused group. A passionate believer in a healthy lifestyle, living in the United Kingdom made it easy for her to pursue a health and fitness regime. She is the Managing Director/CEO of Indulge Nigeria Limited and Indulge Cares Nigeria Limited, both companies promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle for the prevention of illnesses and diseases. Abiola is available on https://www.indulgeinhealthyliving.com/
