Omoluwabi By KB’s CEO, Kunle Bakare Tells Importance Of Good Manners And Kindness To Dressing Well
Kunle Bakare, the Chief Executive Officer of Omoluwabi By KB, has, in a piece titled, “BEING STYLISH AND FASHIONABLE ARE NOT ENOUGH: MANNERS AND KINDNESS TAKE THE CAKE!”, pointed out importance of good manners and kindness to dressing well.
The write-up, Mr. Bakare made available via his social media handle, reads…
‘Dressing well is a form of good manners.’
- Tom Ford [1]
Before we master the game and the tricks of dressing well in winner duds and accessories, we must start from the beginning: live and breathe good manners and kindness!
Being courteous and considerate, kind and good natured far outpace whatever we adorn. Etiquette is the essence of our humanity and civilization!
Manners and kindness make us beautiful inside and out. They are the keys to starting and building strong relationships, earning respect and creating a positive impact on those we encounter.
What’s the point in being on the best-dressed list and being rude, arrogant or dismissive?
Wouldn’t you rather associate with a respectful and caring person whose clothes and accessories are not top notch, than court the friendship of a crude and uncouth drama queen or king who’s dressed to the nines?
Being civil and considerate, respectful and kind take the cake for several reasons:
A. Lasting impact: kindness and consideration have a lasting impact on people’s lives, while style is fleeting and can quickly go out of fashion.
B. Builds relationships: civility and consideration build strong relationships, trust, and respect, which are essential for personal and professional growth.
C. Shows empathy: being civil and considerate demonstrates empathy and understanding, which are vital for creating a positive and supportive environment.
D. Creates a positive environment: civility and consideration foster a positive and inclusive atmosphere, making people feel valued and appreciated.
E. Timeless: good manners and consideration are timeless, never going out of style, whereas fashion trends change seasonally.
F. Universal appeal: kindness and consideration are universally appreciated, transcending cultural and personal differences.
G. Defines character: civility and consideration define one’s character, showcasing a person’s values and heart.
H. Encourages kindness: when we prioritize civility and consideration, we encourage kindness and compassion, creating a more harmonious world.
While style boosts confidence and self-expression, being civil and considerate is crucial when the objectives are building meaningful connections, fostering a positive community, and creating a lasting impact on those around us.
Having good manners, being civil and courteous are essential in many more ways:
- Building relationships: good manners help establish trust, respect, and strong bonds with others.
- Professional success: courtesy and civility are crucial in the workplace, enhancing your reputation and career advancement.
- Social interactions: good manners facilitate smooth and enjoyable social interactions, making you a valued friend and companion.
- Personal growth: practicing courtesy and civility fosters empathy, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.
- Community building: good manners contribute to a more harmonious and respectful community.
- Conflict resolution: courtesy and civility can help resolve conflicts and diffuse tense situations.
- Setting an example: demonstrating good manners inspires others, especially children, to follow your lead.
- Personal branding: good manners reflect positively on your character and reputation.
- Effective communication: courtesy and civility enhance communication, ensuring messages are conveyed respectfully and effectively.
- Creating a positive environment: good manners contribute to a more pleasant and supportive atmosphere in personal and professional settings.
The Yoruba (in southwest Nigeria), and most ancient civilizations in Africa and far beyond, embraced and live these ethos that support growth and progress and advancement. They preach and practice the virtues that make life more enjoyable and fulfilling, more rewarding and ennobling.
These 33 Omoluwabi ethos represent the comprehensive list of character traits and values that define us: accountability, adaptability , compassion, community-mindedness, courage, creativity, diligence, empathy, excellence, fairness, forgiveness, generosity, gratitude, honesty, hospitality, humility, integrity, justice, kindness, loyalty, open mindedness, patience, perseverance, pride (positive self-esteem), resourcefulness, respect, respect for tradition and heritage, responsibility, self-control, self-discipline, spiritual awareness (connection to something greater), tolerance and wisdom.
And scores of studies ratify the impact of good manners and kindness:
o Kindness leads to happiness. Research shows that happier people are kinder, and the reverse is also true.
o Kindness strengthens connections and creates trust. When kindness is given and received, it creates a sense of trust and connection.
o Kindness improves physical well-being. It can reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure and boost the immune system.
o Kindness makes us feel good about ourselves. It reinforces our self-worth, boosts our self-esteem and reminds us that we have the power to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
o Kindness inspires others to be kind. When people observe acts of kindness, it makes them want to be kind too.
o Good manners cost nothing but can bring huge benefits. Saying please and thank you, listening carefully and making eye contact with people can help us appear more confident, maintain more fulfilling personal relationships, lead to us prospering at work and generally enjoying happier and healthier lives.
o Practicing mindfulness can help us unlock our moral sense of respect and fairness. Meditation for compassion can improve our ability to empathize with those around us and activate the areas of the brain associated with compassion.
Here are the conclusions of a few more researches that validate the benefits of courtesy:
‘The Five Side Effects of Kindness’ by David Hamilton (2017): The book discusses how kindness can improve happiness, life satisfaction and physical and mental well-being, and can increase oxytocin and reduce cortisol.[2]
‘Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor’ by O. S. Curry et al. (2018): The study found that performing acts of kindness increases happiness, life satisfaction and well-being, and can increase oxytocin and reduce cortisol.[3]
‘A range of kindness activities boost happiness’ by L. Rowland and O. S. Curry (2019): The study found that performing kind activities increases happiness, whether directed towards friends, family, strangers or oneself.[4]
‘Healing through helping: An experimental investigation of kindness, social activities, and reappraisal as well-being interventions’ by Cregg and Cheavens (2022): The study found that performing acts of kindness can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and can increase social connection and well-being.[5]
‘How Kindness Fits Into a Happy Life’ by Greater Good (2021): The review of research found that people who perform acts of kindness tend to have higher well-being, eudaimonic happiness, self-esteem and self-efficacy.[6]
Remember, good manners and kindness are the timeless accessories that never go out of style. These virtues create a more compassionate, supportive, and beautiful world. Our manners should be our mirror, and reflect the beauty of our character to the world.
Let’s end with this maxim by the famous American designer and businesswoman, Anne Klein (1923–1974):
‘Clothes aren’t going to change the world. The people who wear them will.’[7]
-Kunle Bakare for Omoluwabi by KB (28.06.2024)
[1]. Ford, 2020 [2]. (Hamilton, 2017) – “The Five Side Effects of Kindness” [3]. (Curry et al., 2018) – “Happy to help?” [4]. (Rowland & Curry, 2019) – “A range of kindness activities boost happiness” [5]. (Cregg & Cheavens, 2022) – “Healing through helping” [6]. (Greater Good, 2021) – “How Kindness Fits Into a Happy Life” [7]. Klein, 1974
