Embrace Your Weird, Redefine Failure, and Unlock Lifelong GROWTH with Frankie Russo
In this episode of the Influence Anyone podcast (previously Legend Effect), host Howie Chan interviews William Hanson, one of the world's foremost authorities on etiquette, manners, and influence, who advises royalty, major banks, and global brands on how to own the room.
They delve into the hidden rules of manners and etiquette that may seem a bit outdated, but that help us navigate differences, connect across cultures, and lead from the ultimate source of influence. The discussion emphasizes that no one is exempt from being a nice person.
William shares the difference between manners and etiquette, and shows us that they are very much alive and why they matter to everyone in society. He provides practical tips on how to show up with clarity, confidence, and connection at home and in other cultures, by making a good impression and generally being a nice person.
Episode Breakdown:
02:41 How William handles others' opinions about his agitating content
06:39 The difference between manners and etiquette
08:29 When to break the rules of etiquette
10:24 The role of etiquette rules for community and belonging
12:32 The consequences of a world where everyone is insecure
13:58 Making etiquette more accessible and William's book cover controversy
18:32 How manners and etiquette rules help and why they do matter
23:41 William's experience learning Chinese etiquette
25:17 Navigating an etiquette mishap
27:47 Two powerful habits that we could all benefit from having
32:12 What it takes to leave a good first impression
36:07 How to give a good handshake and get out of an awkward one
39:47 The importance of leading by example
41:04 How to approach etiquette rules in a different culture
42:45 Keeping up with the changes in social etiquette
46:43 Breaks in etiquette that drive William mad
49:07 William's viral, controversial How To Eat videos
54:02 How to be more influential as a leader and as a new neighbor
58:01 The power of humor and not taking yourself too seriously
1:01:04 One etiquette rule on its way out and what should remain
1:03:46 A letter to William Hanson’s younger self
From Our Guest:
Get the book, Just Good Manners.
Listen to his podcasts, Help I Sexted My Boss and The Luxury Podcast.
Watch the cringe comments video that Howie shows William at the start.
Check out the infamous How To Eat videos: Banana, Rice, and Peas.
Catch up with my episode with 6x USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis to learn how to remember names.
Quotes:
“ The old overriding principle of life is to be well-mannered and to treat people with respect, compassion, civility, grace, decorum, whatever words you want to attach to it, to just be nice to people, to be a nice person.” – William Hanson
“ People automatically assume etiquette is only for a certain class of person. You only need it if you're at the top of society, and no. No one is exempt from being a nice person.” – William Hanson
" I hope what is in Just Good Manners in 20 years' time, at least half of it, I would like to be completely irrelevant because etiquette has got to evolve. It has got to change." – William Hanson
The Influence Anyone Podcast
The #1 podcast on applied influence psychology. Each episode, Howie Chan, a veteran brand and behavior strategist sits down with world experts and practitioners to uncover the hidden psychology that helps you influence yourself (mastering your mindset, habits, and decisions) and get buy-in from others (your team, clients, and audiences.) Together, we turn science into playbooks you can apply to lead, persuade, and create extraordinary success.
New episodes weekly. Subscribe and start influencing with intention.