Dr. Lew Bayer: Author, International Civility Expert

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For 22 years Dr. Lew Bayer (hon.) has been internationally recognized as a leading civility expert. With a focus on social intelligence and culturally-competent communication, the team at Civility Experts – which includes 276 affiliates in 46 countries has supported 100’s of organizations in building better workplaces.  Bayer believes that: “In choosing civility, people find their best self, and in doing so, they experience the grace, courage, generosity, humanity, and humility that civility engenders.”

Bayer is the recipient of several awards and accolades including;

  • AICI – Civility Star Award
  • Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award for International Business Category
  • World Civility Day – Community Civility Counts Award
  • 4-time nominee for the RBC Women of Distinction Award
  • Honorable mention for the first annual Civvy Award
  • President Girma Wolde Giorgis Environmental Presidential Award for Global Change-makers
  • ICN Women of Global Civility Award
  • Ambassador of World Civility Award
  • Honorary Doctorate from Latin University of Theology (Ethics and Social Justice)
  • iChange Nations™ Woman of the Year A 2018
  • iChange Nations™ Women of Golden Rule Dialogue’s “Women of Global Solutions” Award

How’d you start your career? What was your initial reaction received from others when you announced you would be writing? 

In 1999 I started an etiquette training business. There was no Canadian curriculum for teaching Canadian etiquette so I found myself writing one. I am a talker- and love to read- so I think people just assumed writing would come next.

What were your best and worst moments thus far?

Best was publishing the first book, Macaroni and Please  for children, and worst, so far, was learning that the publisher posted one of the books (30% Solution) with the Introduction AFTER Chapter 1–– the bloggers and reviewers and customers sliced and diced the book as a result. It was devastating to me.

What’s your writing process like? Pen/paper, computer, laptop, coffee shops, writing spot.

I am a researcher and readers so it’s books and pen and sticky notes for about 6 months, and then the laptop to put it all together. I do my best writing as a passenger on long car road trips. And definitely some inspirational moments in the middle of the night. The sit-up-in-your-sleep kind of inspiration.

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Your highly successful, international bestseller, The 30% Solution is followed up with The Power of One- How Choosing Civility Can Change Your Life.  Could you tell us a bit about both and why the focus on civility? 

Civility has been my work and life since 1999 officially, but prior to that I dabbled in etiquette. Civility is NOT etiquette; it’s about social justice, ethics, people treatment etc. I can’t get enough of it. I earn a living focused on civility in the workplace––this is what 30% Solution is about––but civility starts with each of us, personally, and that is what Power of One is about.

What’s the one thing you wish you knew when you started, that you know now?

I wish I knew how to market and promote myself better–– there are a tonne of great books out there. It’s easy to get lost in the crowded bookshelf.

What’s your editing and proofing process like?

I am usually very focused on the content and the ideas, etc. so I am fortunate to have help––someone on my team proofs and edits and we go back and forth 3-4 times.

What recommendations do you have for new authors, both in writing as well as their mindset in dealing with the world around them?

I’d say write for the love of it and don’t even think about what comes after. Publish for yourself or for your children and relinquish control of who might read the book or buy the book. There are no guarantees, and if you are only thinking about making money, the book will likely not be as good.

What is your personal weakness as a writer—your Kryptonite?

I can’t stop. Hard to rein things in and keep the book concise. Bite-size for today’s busy readers. I could go on and on and on. Also, I take for granted that people have a general idea and understanding of the topic––but the reality is many people don’t have a clue what civility is.

Watch Robin Chodak interview  Dr. Lew Bayer on Civility

 

To learn more about Dr. Bayer, please visit her Website at https://lewbayer.com

Also check out the Power of One Course https://www.transformation.tv/lewbayertvshow