Brenda Blount and Nancy Wilson Help Listeners Navigate Modern Life With Confidence, Courtesy, and Southern Charm
If you’re thinking civility and good manners are lacking in today’s world, you are not alone. Two Coast women feel the same way and have charted a course to offer assistance. Nancy Wilson of Ocean Springs and Brenda Blount of Gulfport premiered their podcast, Sweet Tea & Civility, six months ago.
The duo have worked together on and off offering etiquette classes since 2014.
Their mantra is: civility and etiquette are not old-fashioned, but essential. “We are passionate about it,” Wilson says. “We were excited about it at the same time and moving to a podcast but there were decisions to be made, such as who would be our tech people.”
The partners worked through three teams before settling on the group at the Mary C. O’Keefe Museum in Ocean Springs where a room was built for podcasting. “Everything came together with Take Action Video Productions with John Reyes and Reith Gibson,” Blount explained. “As for the name, we knew it should be something Southern. Some suggestions were Southern Touch and You’ve Been Hooked. A big brainstorming session came up with Sweet Tea & Civility, which we think is perfect. We knew the name had to grab you.”
They felt they had chosen the right name when a friend of Blount’s who works in branding for Shell Oil complimented their choice.
It was decided to do audio only so walkers and anyone not sitting still could listen. Then it was action for the first session which was attended by the staff of the Mary C. with a round of applause at the conclusion.
The podcast uses research, experiences and guests to discuss the importance of civility at home, in business, in sports and social settings. Sometimes they give homework such as reading pages from “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families” by Stephen R. Covey, or practicing making introductions.
Having guests they feel is important because it adds different perspectives and experiences. A married couple who put strong emphasis on family time together gave suggestions of how to carve out time for family meals together, something Wilson and Blount stress as important. Two grandparents were guests to discuss the crucial role grandparents can play in grandchildren’s lives.
“We must continue to nurture our families—physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually,” Blount said. “If you don’t, your relationship will atrophy. We suggest family reading together and discussing, hiking, biking, learning new skills and community service.”
Considering business etiquette, the ladies quote studies from Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford University which concluded that 85 percent of job success stems from well-developed soft skills (people skills), while only 15 percent comes from technical expertise. Research shows that roles requiring high social skills command higher wages.
Technical skills change fairly rapidly. Conversely, soft skills like critical thinking, ethical judgment, and complex problem-solving remain steady.
Approximately 94 percent of recruiters believe employees with strong soft skills have a better chance of being promoted into leadership positions than those with more experience but weaker interpersonal abilities.
“We talk about it as a big tent that includes manners, almost anything connected to business etiquette such as communication, technology, phone, change in the workplace, meetings, dining, attire, correspondence, entertaining, introduction, first impressions, public speaking, etc.,” Wilson said.
Blount’s background includes working with Gayfer’s Department Store’s White Glove and Party Manners. She also did workshops for the store’s teen board, made chamber of commerce presentations and did professional development for the Beau Rivage’s human resources department.
Wilson, a former English teacher and Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce official, has developed team building and other types of programs through the years.
Both deplore what they see as the sloppification of America. “We were already on a slippery slope and the pandemic did not help,” Blount said. “I often wonder what people are thinking when I see the way they present themselves in public.”
Blount and Wilson have completed a series of six podcasts of Sweet Tea & Civility and are planning the next series. “Now that we know how to do it, the sky’s the limit,” Wilson said. “We will focus more on business etiquette and what employers are looking for. We will invite some employers to join us with their input.”
