My Protocol Advisor, Powered by Elevating Etiquette, LLC

01/28/2026

When You’re Managing Time in High-Level Meetings—What Do You Do?

If you support senior leaders, you’ve been here.

A meeting is running long.
A speaker goes past their time.
Someone arrives late.

And you know your boss MUST be in the next meeting—on time.

So what’s the instinct?
Explain what happened?
Call out who caused the delay?
Sell out the person who spoke too long or showed up late?

No.

That’s not leadership. That’s commentary.

The professional move is to stay positive, stay composed, and keep the power where it belongs—with the host.

As you watch the time slip away and the meeting has not been as productive or effective as planned, a professional comment from the executive officer sounds like this: “Sir/Ma’am, we have 10 minutes remaining for this meeting and four more topics to cover. How would you like to proceed?”

Why this works:

It preserves dignity
It keeps authority with the host
It allows priorities to be set without embarrassment

And an important reminder:
The host already knows what information they need.
Your role isn’t to explain the problem.
It’s to guide the solution.

That’s how you manage time—and people—well.

More Respect. More Professionalism. Elevating Etiquette.

01/22/2026

Yesterday I had a great conversation with someone I work with (she's awesome)—she’s also taken one of my classes.

We laughed because she said thinks I am silently watching everyone’s “bad moves.”

I laughed back and said, “Honestly, I’m more worried that people think I’m perfect and notice my mistakes.”

Because I’m not. Not even close.

That’s where intent of respect matters.

When people are genuinely trying—showing up prepared, being thoughtful, wanting to do better—that intent is felt. Even when the fork is wrong. Even when the email isn’t perfect. Even when the moment is a little clunky.

Etiquette isn’t about perfection.
It’s about putting people at ease.

When we recognize good intent in others, we’re more patient, more accepting, and frankly—we all win.

Progress beats perfection.
Respect beats rules.
And yes… I make mistakes too. 😉

— Desirée
Elevating Etiquette

01/20/2026

In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today, we pause to reflect on the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His commitment to dignity, justice, and nonviolent leadership continues to inspire individuals and institutions around the world.

His life reminds us that true influence is grounded in principle, courage, and service to others.

As we observe this day, may we recommit ourselves to respectful dialogue, ethical leadership, and the pursuit of equity in every sphere we touch.

01/15/2026

🇺🇸 Flag Protocol Tip: Flag Stands Matter 🇺🇸

If you’re hosting an outdoor ceremony and using flags, here’s a simple but critical reminder:

Fill. The. Bases.

Years ago, I watched a ceremony where flags tipped over mid-event because the stands weren’t weighted with sand or water. It was terrible. And avoidable.

Wind + empty bases = falling flags.
Not a great look—and completely avoidable.
Protocol isn’t just about rules. It’s about preparation.

✔️ Rehearse with the actual equipment
✔️ Weight flag bases properly (sand or water)
✔️ Test for wind, spacing, and stability
✔️ Never assume “it’ll be fine” outdoors

The flag deserves respect—and a solid foundation. Literally.
Details matter. 🇺🇸

More respect. More Professionalism. Elevating Etiquette.

01/06/2026

Please be kind and considerate on the roads.

Be safe.

We lose a lot of people on the roads here in Las Vegas and it very often comes down to something someone did that could have been avoided.

Ready to glow up your safety habits in 2026?🌟

Now’s the perfect time to refresh, refocus, and drive smarter than ever. Let’s make safety the coolest trend this year with some fresh New Year’s resolutions. Get your notes app ready!

01/06/2026

We bring young people into the workforce and then wonder why they don’t email a certain way, communicate the way we expect, or navigate professional interactions smoothly.

A fair question to ask is: have we taught them yet? Have YOU taught them?

Many of the skills that matter most at work — communication, awareness, respect, and how to show up with confidence — are rarely taught explicitly. We assume people will “just know.”

Teaching professionalism starts with leadership. When teams are given the tools to succeed, confidence grows, relationships strengthen, and work improves.

Professional business etiquette matters. It directly impacts how people communicate, collaborate, and represent your organization.

More respect. More professionalism. Elevating Etiquette.

01/02/2026

12/16/2025

I genuinely love this work — and a lot goes into it long before I ever stand at the front of the room.

It’s not just the presentation. I think about the shape of the room, how people will move, how they’ll interact, and how the space will feel when they walk in. I watch the room as we go — energy, engagement, when it’s time for a break — and I adjust in real time.

Some groups need more structure.
Some need less formality.
Both can work when you meet people where they are.

When the room feels inviting and the approach is intentional, collaboration follows naturally.

At the end of the day, the goal is simple: help people feel more confident, more prepared, and more comfortable showing up in professional moments that matter.

12/09/2025

We’re all going to make mistakes.
In work, in relationships, in business etiquette, in social settings — it’s guaranteed. We’re human.

But how we recover is what makes the difference.

A sincere “excuse me.”
A simple apology when it’s needed.
A reset, a breath, and moving forward with intention.

Protocol and etiquette aren’t about perfection — they’re about respect and awareness. That’s it. When you lead with respect, you can navigate almost any misstep with grace.

So don’t get stuck replaying the mistake.
Recover well.
Move forward.
And keep your focus on how you make others feel.

If your intent is respect, you win every time.

12/02/2025

A great share for today!

English Vocabulary
PRESIDE (v.)
To lead, oversee, or be in charge of a meeting, event, ceremony, or organization.
It implies having authority or a supervising role.
Examples:
The judge will preside over the trial.
A senior monk presided at the ceremony.

Synonyms : chair, oversee, conduct, lead, supervise, govern, direct

Try using the word in your own sentence!

12/02/2025

When you’re setting ceremony traditions in your company, be intentional.

Many people prefer a relaxed culture today, and that’s fine — but there’s a point where “casual” starts looking careless. Professional moments still deserve professional energy.

I advise teams to:
🔹 Err on the side of formality.
🔹 Then ease back until you find the level that fits.

You can always loosen up.
You can rarely tighten up once it’s sloppy.

And let’s be honest — if you show up looking like you’re headed to a backyard BBQ, trying to keep things "simple and carefree" you’re not setting the tone you think you are.

Ceremony matters. Ritual matters. They’re the cousins of etiquette — the tools that signal respect, recognition, and purpose.

Leaders set the tone.

Make sure yours reflects pride in the moments that deserve it.

Looking for advisement on ceremonies in your workplace?

Contact me at [email protected]