What does the Art of Hospitality mean to me? For me, it’s the art of welcoming someone into our midst. It’s appreciating the decision that person (or people) made to spend time with me instead of someone else.
Hospitality means taking the opportunity to fuss over someone with specially prepared or procured foods. It involves setting the table or using special dishes and linens to complement the food. It can also include decorating the table with flowers or other natural elements.
Hospitality is about celebrating that person’s presence in our lives. I believe we can use the principles of hospitality in our conversations and interactions with others, whether they are friends or strangers.
What if we made a conscious effort to:
- Greet others with a pleasant expression or a smile.
- Set the intention to have a positive interaction.
- Find something to say that’s positive and affirming:
- Give a compliment – Comment on what they are wearing, a color or a logo.
- Acknowledge the lovely weather—a basic but effective comment.
- Sometimes, we don’t need to talk. A positive, energetic presence can speak volumes.
How can taking these steps change how we interact with other people? We never know what’s going on in someone else’s life. That sullen-faced person we just encountered may have had a tough day at work or received disappointing news, like an unexpected bill or health report.
When we try, we have a chance to change how that person experiences themselves and others. Our kindness may trigger a ripple effect. A smile can do wonders.
So, let’s practice the art of hospitality in our conversations every day.
Here are a few resources for your consideration:
- Lead with Hospitality: Be Human. Emotionally Connect. Serve Selflessly by Taylor Scott
- Give Hospitality: A Hopeful Story of What Happens When We Live, Work, and Love from a Place of Generosity by Taylor Scott
- Leadership Storytalks Podcast – Jerome Deroy and Julienne
- Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business
- Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect