by Donna Paige Riley

In every organization, classroom, boardroom, or community, one truth remains constant: leadership matters. It sets the tone, shapes the culture, and ultimately determines the direction and success of a group.

Leadership isn't just about holding a title—it's about influence, integrity, and impact. True leaders listen, inspire, and guide others toward a common goal. They lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
At its core, leadership is a skill that can be developed. It begins with self-awareness and grows with practice, feedback, and a commitment to continuous learning. Whether you're a student stepping into your first leadership role or a seasoned executive refining your style, the journey is ongoing.

When leadership is intentional, organizations thrive. Teams communicate better. Decisions are made with purpose. Conflicts are handled with grace. Morale goes up, and trust becomes the foundation.
This is why we teach leadership—and why we believe it's a skill worth mastering at every stage of life.
​
Stay tuned for our next leadership workshop. Let’s build leaders who lead with excellence.

By Donna Paige Riley, Master-Level Trainer, Certified Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Teacher​

​In today’s competitive workplace, technical skills might get your foot in the door—but social skills determine how far you’ll go.

Whether you're leading a team, managing clients, or collaborating with colleagues, strong interpersonal skills are non-negotiable. They impact your ability to:

•  Communicate with clarity and professionalism
•  Navigate conflict with emotional intelligence
•  Build trust and strong working relationships
•  Lead with empathy and confidence
•  Represent your brand with grace and presence

The truth is, we don’t work in silos. We work with people—and how well you connect, collaborate, and communicate often matters more than your credentials.
 Professionals who invest in their social skills increase their leadership potential, reduce workplace friction, and stand out as trusted team players.
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Because at the end of the day, it’s not just what you know—it’s how you show up.

 By Donna Paige Riley, Master-Level Trainer, Certified Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Teacher

​​Effective communication at work is essential for fostering collaboration, reducing misunderstandings, and enhancing productivity. When team members communicate clearly, they can align their goals, solve problems efficiently, and build stronger relationships. Poor communication, on the other hand, can lead to confusion, delays, and frustration, ultimately affecting team morale and performance.

Here are three strategies to improve communication at work:

1. Active Listening: Pay full attention to the speaker, ask clarifying questions, and summarize key points to ensure understanding. This builds trust and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
2. Be Clear and Concise: Avoid jargon and keep your messages simple and to the point. Whether it’s an email, meeting, or casual conversation, being clear prevents misinterpretations.
3. Use the Right Medium: Choose the best communication tool for the message—whether that’s face-to-face, email, or instant messaging. For complex topics, a face-to-face or video meeting can help avoid confusion that might occur in written communication.

​By applying these strategies, you can contribute to a more efficient and positive workplace environment.

Why I Wrote This Book—And Why It Still Matters Today
By Donna Paige Riley, Master-Level Trainer, Certified Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Teacher

Two years ago, I released What is Business Etiquette Anyway? Key Strategies for Building Successful Working Relationships—and the conversations it sparked have confirmed just how vital this topic truly is.
When I wrote this book, I wasn’t interested in etiquette for etiquette’s sake. I was focused on something much deeper:
   💬 How do we build authentic, respectful, and professional relationships in today’s changing workplace?
As a Master-Level Trainer and Certified Maxwell Coach, I’ve worked with professionals across industries who
​are talented, driven, and technically skilled—but they often struggle to:

• Communicate with clarity and presence
• Lead in hybrid or virtual settings
• Read unspoken cues and expectations
• Build trust and rapport across differences

   This book offers practical, accessible guidance on:
✔️ The habits that quietly boost or break your professional image
✔️ Modern etiquette in emails, meetings, and digital communication
✔️ Strategies for respectful assertiveness and leadership presence
✔️ Real-life examples from coaching, training, and mentoring

If you’ve ever felt unsure how to “read the room,” navigate difficult conversations, or present yourself with polished confidence—this book was written for you.

 📘 You can get your copy here:  https://a.co/d/eEyRMvh

And if you'd like to bring these lessons to your team or audience, I offer speaking engagements and customized training programs. Let’s build workplaces where courtesy meets competence—and respect leads to results.

                 ​www.msdonnaspeaks.com/contact   or    [email protected]

By Donna Paige Riley, Master-Level Trainer, Certified Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Teacher
​
 “Can you see me now? Can you see me now?”  “No, but we can hear you!”
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of attending and presenting at workshops and conferences across the country. Just when I think I’ve witnessed the full spectrum of meeting behavior, someone inevitably raises the bar on what not to do.

Take, for example, the sidebar conversation. You know the type. You’re in a session, fully engaged with the speaker, when someone behind you starts chatting with their neighbor—or even worse, takes a phone call. Perhaps they believe they’re whispering, but the truth is, their voices are loud enough to cause heads to turn and focus to scatter. Maybe they think that sitting in the back makes them invisible. Well, maybe we can’t see them, but we can definitely hear them. 

The last time this happened to me, I did something I don’t usually do. I turned around and, with as much grace as I could muster, politely asked the two individuals to stop talking. I explained that I—and others—were struggling to hear the speaker. To their credit, they apologized, and the talking stopped.
That moment was a reminder of something important: courtesy in professional spaces matters. Whether you're attending a large conference, a team meeting, or a virtual training, your actions affect everyone around you.
   Here’s the takeaway:

• Avoid sidebar conversations—they’re more disruptive than you think.
• Keep your phone on silent and step out if you need to take a call.
• Be fully present and respectful of the time, space, and voices of others.

Let’s elevate our etiquette and model the kind of presence that builds trust and shows professionalism. After all, it’s not just about being seen—it’s about being heard, appropriately.

   What about you?
Have you ever experienced distracting behavior during a meeting or workshop? How did you handle it? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
And if you’re passionate about mastering professional presence, communication, and leadership, be sure to check out my book:
📘 What is Business Etiquette Anyway? Key Strategies for Building Successful Working Relationships – filled with real-world insights and practical strategies to help you shine in any room.  https://a.co/d/eEyRMvh Available now on Amazon!
Book commercial: https://youtu.be/IImFigP-Ctw

 By Donna Paige Riley, Master-Level Trainer, Certified Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Teacher

Do you appreciate your staff or employees, and do you show your appreciation by recognizing and celebrating them? If you do not celebrate those on your team because you assume they should automatically feel appreciated, your assumption is most likely wrong. How would they actually know unless you demonstrate it?
 
Appreciating your team members have a lot to do with their morale and not appreciating them also affects their morale as well. The majority of employees polled stated that when they feel appreciated by their boss or superiors, they do more and care more about what they do.
 
I was inspired to write this article because I spoke with someone who has received favorable performance reviews over the years and reached his 19th anniversary last week. This gentleman has an impeccable work ethic, missed only a few days of work over this entire 19-year period, and this organization, which is a Fortune 500 company did not give him a thank-you note for his service or even send a thank-you email. In fact, there was no attempt to recognize him at all.
 
   As a Certified John Maxwell Leadership Team Member, Trainer and Coach, and an Etiquette Trainer and Coach, I believe that by not offering at least a thank you to this employee is a true demonstration of really poor business etiquette and leadership. Afterall, this gentleman committed almost two decades of his life serving this company.  This gentleman also shared that this organization very rarely recognizes anyone who is not a regional director or manager. He was not encouraged by this lack of recognition.
 
According to SHRM, when employee recognition is not important to employers, it can lead to a number of negative consequences, including:
 
 · Employee Disengagement-Employees may feel unvalued and disengaged and may doubt their performance.
 
 · Increased Turnover-Employees may be more likely to leave the company. However, employees with a positive experience are 68% less likely to consider leaving.
 
 · Lower Productivity-Employees may have lower self-confidence and performance, which can impact productivity and business growth.
 
 · Financial Losses-Organizations that don't have an effective employee recognition program may experience financial losses due to turnover and lack of engagement.
 
 Employee recognition can be a key factor in improving employee engagement, job satisfaction, productivity, and retention rates. Approximately 80% of companies have some type of employee recognition program, and 58% tie those programs to their organizational values.
 
 Be intentional about recognizing, affirming, thanking and showing appreciation to your team members.  They will certainly appreciate it.