Polished: The Guide to Excellence for the Modern Professional

by Tiffany Adams

Amazon Bestseller in Strategic Management
Amazon Bestseller in Communication in Management
Amazon Bestseller in Management Skills
Amazon Bestseller in Etiquette
Amazon Bestseller in Business Etiquette
Amazon Bestseller in Management Science
Amazon Bestseller in Business Image & Etiquette
Amazon Bestseller in Etiquette Guides & Advice
Amazon Bestseller in Nonprofit Management and Leadership


Professional Pearls of Wisdom to Project Power and Poise

Building relationship capital is the most important ingredient to career success. When one is keenly aware of how their behavior and words impact others, and in turn, how to make others comfortable, a lifetime of dividends get paid in the form of leadership opportunities and enhanced relatability and credibility. Modern business etiquette opens the door to a world where employees are empowered to be the finest ambassador of themselves and their employer that they can be. Through the fresh lens of modern business etiquette, this book offers a dynamic learning journey of strategies, tools, and real-life applications where readers smartly position themselves for advancement by becoming the very best they can be.

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2023

Reviews

[Russ Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a non-profit professional with over 30 years of experience in donor and volunteer relationships, I found Polished to be insightful, well-written, and easy to follow. One of my earliest experiences as a young professional was participating in an etiquette class before embarking on a large fundraising campaign. It made a huge impact on me because I did not realize at the time how important that class would be to my success and my ability to relate to a wide range of people.

I am an instructor in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Fundamentals of Fundraising classes for professionals new to the field of fundraising and volunteer recruitment. I would recommend they make at least the first five Building Block chapters of Polished required reading for young professionals entering the business of not-for-profit management. Mrs. Adams is recapturing what could very well become a lost art in a world of electronics and faceless transactions.

Interpersonal relationships and recognizing a variety of situations requiring proper social skills are timeless. Thank you, Mrs. Adams

[Chris Perrino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polished is a comprehensive and helpful guide to modern conversation, business etiquette and, ultimately, leadership. I like that the author provides real-world examples to illustrate how to put the advice into action for a better outcome in our personal and business interactions. The chapter on "Turning Difficult Conversations into Civil Discourse" is a must read. Too many friends, families and co-workers are squaring off over entrenched positions in the political and culture realms. The author's words of advice to express yourself with dignity and listen with an open mind provide important and practical lessons. Polished can be a foundational book for those early in their careers and a capstone for those in their mid-career and beyond.

[Peter Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best self development books I have read. Up there with my all time favorites: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Greatest Salesman in the World, Strategic Selling by Miller Heiman, The E Myth and You Get What you negotiate.

Interpersonal skills are what drives business and organizations. Developing the technical skills for your business or organization are the mandatory content that makes you a valuable asset to your colleagues, leadership and clients / customers. It is developing the interpersonal skills that lead to authentic trust that is missing many times in todays world. Communication and Content are the key. In the last 30 years we have developed new ways to communicate in so many different ways. Instead of just a written memo or letter we use our phones, Zoom, texting and present ourselves through other mediums such as LinkedIn. Through body language, the written word, process (etiquette) and follow up we have the chance to become more effective at each of these to achieve our personal and organizational goals.

I have been a serial entrepreneur as a CEO of one company that I sold to a Fortune 500 and a founding member of a company that went public on NASDAQ where I led a team of 50 sales and marketing professionals globally. I now work as a partner in a firm working with CEO's and owners of businesses who are looking to exit their business through a sale.

It has taken me the better part of 30 years to develop the skills I have and yet I am astounded every days by the sloppy communications skills that professionals, radio interviewers and sales people and colleagues have. The author hits the bullseye in pointing out that poor verbal skills lower a listeners confidence in both the speaker and the message. Fillers drive me crazy! "you know" for example or "like".

The book acts as a workplan for improving skills and is artfully designed if followed to enable the reader to either build skills or correct bad habits to become a more effective leader, performer and teammate.

Every employer should give this book to every new employee whether they are 22 years old or 52 years old. She has great and effective vignettes, quotes and questions throughout. This is a book that should be read, digested and used as a how to book, reference and refresher for older professionals who think they are finished growing.

[Mary Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK! It has become my guidebook for navigating the often-baffling and-sometimes-terrifying world of modern business and social etiquette. But it’s not strictly a reference tool- it’s a good, fun read! I loved the many quotes and ‘Tiffany’s Epiphanies’ that are scattered throughout the book. I also loved the many opportunities to apply, or ‘elevate’, the concepts and skills that were addressed, as well as the numerous amusing poems (penned by the author!) used to introduce a new topic. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning the tools of modern business and social etiquette or anyone wanting to ‘polish’ the skillset they already have! (Oh, and it’s a great gift idea for any soon-to-be graduates!)

[Cindy Menges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polished, by Tiffany Adams, truly captures the modern essence of how to be your best self in any setting or situation. Her writing style is engaging and the self-reflection you'll experience as you pick a Building Block is meaningful! This book isn't going on a shelf, it is on the corner of my desk for frequent reference. It is a visual reminder to me when I'm not reading it to be the best me! Thank you Tiffany!

[Tim Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Polished" is simply a must read no matter how good you think you are in expressing yourself both in person or through any media. It is unbelievably comprehensive ; the author has touched on every possible subject and combines some hilarious comments such as President Roosevelt's on page 47. My adult children will be getting a copy of this book to give them the tools they need to ascend quickly in the business world!

[Jim Stellern · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the content of the book was very good. But I found the overall organization of the book very confusing and hard to follow. I ended up frustrated and only read about 60% of the book.