Someone once asked a Washington insider how to deal with important people whom you can’t stand. His reply? “You put on your respectful face and you don’t blink.” This strategy is known in business circles as “kissing the ring.” Its origins lie in a much earlier era, when royalty and clerics wore rings of office denoting their status. Bowing your head as you kissed their rings was how you showed respect for their offices, while not necessarily feeling that sentiment towards the characters themselves.
"Kissing the ring" might mean responding in a neutral or positive way when someone important says something off-base in a meeting. Or staying positive with your boss when he or she doesn't understand what you're trying to do or say. However irritated or amazed you feel, keep your facial expression kind and free of negativity, a kind of poker face. It's worth practicing this in front of the mirror so that it's ready to put on when you need it.
"Kissing the ring" doesn't mean being sycophantic, though. It's just about treading carefully around egos. There's nothing wrong with telling a senior person that you think there might be a better way of doing things, but just make sure that you think strategically and don't react there and then, especially if there are others present. If you are genuinely concerned about something, you might want to bring it up in private in a neutral way, but not make a big deal out of it. You do this by talking about it in a low-key way, tactfully introducing your point by saying, "By the way, what do you think of…" or, "Is there is a case to be made for this other point of view?"
Are there "don't kiss the ring" moments, too? You bet. As soon as anything looks the slightest bit immoral or illegal, you need to stop and think. Don't jump to conclusions, but once you've confirmed that something improper is up, do everything you can to extricate yourself from the situation before you get into trouble. If, for example, your company requires that the highest level person at a dinner should pick up the expenses, then you might hesitate before paying for something so that your boss doesn't have to put it on his or her expense report. But that scenario falls in a sort of gray area, while illegality is something that you should always report, without exception. There are ex-employees of Enron or Health South, currently in jail, who probably wish they had spoken up, or even left their jobs, rather than keeping mum.
"Kissing the ring" is among a repertoire of respectful behaviors that will put you in good stead with high-ranking people. At some point in your career, you will have to suck in your gut and show deference to a senior person whom you can't stand. Be prepared for it.
For more information about Dr. Karen Otazo, check out www.global-leadership-network.com.
