Catching up with North America’s Youngest Etiquette Expert: Konrad Phillip

As last year’s winner of the National Business Etiquette Week contest, Konrad Phillip—known as North America’s Youngest Etiquette Expert—presented an engaging infographic that addressed ways to put civility back into the political process. In a recent interview, Konrad discusses the year since his win (including his take on last year’s elections), his training with the Protocol School of Washington, and his future plans.

Konrad, tell us about your complimentary training as winner of last year’s National Business Etiquette Week contest? What class did you attend and what was the experience like? I attended the Corporate Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant Course. The master trainers and the classmates made the experience very enjoyable. From the first day I was made to feel welcome, and participation was encouraged. I still remember the cheers and the tears on graduation day when we all had to say goodbye (for the record, I didn’t cry!). Fortunately, the PSOW community continues to be a great resource for me.

What were the top 3 takeaways from your training as it relates to business etiquette and protocol? What resonated with you the most? 1. The word “etiquette” is not very popular, but what we do is more than teach manners. There are many ways we can appeal to an audience. 2. There are many places a career in protocol can take you. 3. I love coaching etiquette!

Did you have any preconceived notions about your training that was dispelled? At the risk of sounding like a know-it-all, I thought I knew it all. In fact, the course was very comprehensive. Not only did I develop my knowledge of protocol; I also benefited from the Speakers Training Camp and the business advice. PSOW creates well-rounded graduates. Whether you are there to enhance your career, or to start a new career in protocol consulting, you will come away with new confidence.

As last year’s winner for the NBEW contest, you created a wonderful presentation on ways to reinstate civility back into the political process. How have the subsequent elections in the US and across Europe made you feel about the ideas you presented last year? My presentation stressed that it is up to the voters to choose civility. It was disappointing to see some of the uncivil forms of activism citizens themselves engaged in during the elections. The fact that such behavior did nothing to advance their causes only supports my ideas.

Have the elections made you rethink your original thoughts on how to make the political process more civil and respectful? After observing events following the election, I feel that perhaps politicians should also take a look at my “We the People” pledge. It is not without reason that the Protocol School is located in Washington. The political process involves many formalities that must be respected if one wishes to be effective.

Did your training with the PSOW give you new ideas on how to instill respect and civility in both the political and business worlds? Absolutely. The “How to Succeed in the International Arena” course introduced to me the international context in which politicians and business leaders work in today.

Before our contest you had already gained a reputation as “North America’s Youngest Etiquette Expert” with both your book (“From Schleppy to Preppy”) and your website www.notawkwardanymore.com. Give us an update on what’s going on with you today. The materials and licensing provided by PSOW provided a new level of confidence to both me and to prospective etiquette coaching clients. A dining etiquette workshop I recently hosted at my alma mater was by far the most popular of a series of business skills seminars. This demonstrates the value people see in what we do. I am working on a second guidebook that will be out by the fall. The training from The Protocol School of Washington has also helped me differentiate myself in my corporate career.

What would you tell a prospective student thinking of attending a PSOW session? I call PSOW the Harvard of protocol schools. You will graduate from a school with an international reputation, among the thought leaders and influencers in our field. Winning the National Business Etiquette Week contest makes the experience extra special, so I highly recommend submitting an entry.