Georgia A. Bryce-Hutchinson, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist | M.S | MSEE | CPLC | CTP
Founder, Building Families According To Pattern, LLC
At Peerless Etiquette, we understand the importance of emotional intelligence in our curriculum. We believe that etiquette alone is not enough without empathy, effective communication, social skills, self-awareness, self-regulation, and motivation. In fact, it is widely believed that only 20% of success in life is attributed to IQ, while the remaining 80% is determined by emotional intelligence and social intelligence. This is why we are thrilled to present today's featured interview with Mrs. Georgia A. Bryce-Hutchinson, a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who exemplifies a healthy EQ in her job. Join us as she shares her journey and how her character, integrity, and kindness have shaped her life and career.
Through this interview, we hope to inspire you to embrace kindness and cultivate emotional intelligence and humility in your own lives.
Tell us a little about yourself, include three accomplishments that you are proud of:
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who made the transition into the psycho-therapy world after working in the Environmental Science and Engineering arenas for 16 years. I hold M.Sc. degrees in both Environmental Engineering and Marriage & Family Therapy, and I am a proud graduate of Florida International University and Nova Southeastern University. I hail from the most dynamic nation in the Caribbean, Jamaica. I migrated to the United States in 1998 to pursue higher academics. I consider my transition from one career to the next as one of my greatest accomplishments, as well as having an opportunity to return to the industries I once interfaced with as an engineer, but now in my capacity as a mental health expert. None of this would have been possible had I not engaged in the self-discovery process, under the guidance of my late mentor, Dr. Myles Munroe. My most meaningful accomplishment is ongoing and that is an active pursuit of my relationship with the Lord. I consider myself extremely blessed to be married to my wonderful husband, Steve Hutchinson.
How did kindness and good character help you succeed?
Character is everything! Dr. Myles often equated character to a statue (think of the Statue of Liberty). The Statue of Liberty has been sitting in the same location since its installation in June of 1885. A statue remains unmovable and unchanging, despite the negative impact of external forces. I am a strong believer in embodying core values and leading life from this place. Integrity, honesty, commitment, respect for self and others, are core values that I seek to embody. My character is put on display in how I relate to and treat others, hence the kindness factor. I believe this posture has opened (and continues to) numerous doors for me in terms of relationships and even business opportunities.
Why is character and integrity so important in your work?
Success of the therapeutic process is significantly dependent on the quality of the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client, equated at approximately 40%. Without character and integrity being intact, particularly in this setting, there is no relationship and hence, no process. I cannot serve clients if my value system is in question. Clients must trust me enough to make themselves open and vulnerable to share their deepest needs, concerns, fears, and failures. They also must trust me enough to remain receptive to my feedback and guidance.
In your opinion, What are three positive character traits a person must develop, or possess to be successful in life?
Hands-down, integrity, honesty and accountability. You must remain integral with your word because it is the only thing you truly own. Being honest makes it easy for trust to be cultivated within the context of relationships. Accountability, with self and others, fosters respect and further engenders trust. If you are hoping to engage healthy relationships, develop a reputation of veracity and do business in the marketplace, possessing these traits is a necessity.
Who is someone living or deceased that you feel embodies/embodied outstanding etiquette?
I think of my high school principal, Mrs. Logan. She was proper and stoic, impeccable in her speech and the manner in which she walked and carried herself, yet, engaging and captivating. I did not know of the concept, “executive presence” back then, but, in my mind, this is what she exhibited.
Tell us about a time someone was kind to you, and how it made you feel.
Gosh! There are so many individuals that come to mind. There was a time when life was not as easy as it is now. This was during my undergrad years as an international student here in the U.S. I was always without money. I literally relied on the kindness of my Church community to carry me through those years. I was often invited into members’ homes for meals and to spend holidays. They became my family away from family.
If you could give a young person one word of advice when it comes to etiquette, and the importance of developing social skills; what would it be?
Now I am not the “expert” here, but, when I think of etiquette, I think of self-awareness. I believe someone who is self-aware, is in a better position to govern his or her behavior, disposition, and even choices. Without self-awareness, we are prone to live vicariously, behaving like everyone else around us and being subjected to group-think and external pressures. Intentionally cultivating self awareness helps put us in a position to chart the preferred trajectory for our lives. We are more likely to land in the places and spaces where we want to, as averse to where others may drag us.
Share one book recommendation that changed your life for the better.
Of-course, you know I am going to recommend one by Dr. Myles Munroe (smiles). The book that irrevocably changed my life and set me on my current course is, “In Pursuit of Purpose.”
Share a few words of wisdom about why human kindness is so important.
I believe we all thrive in spaces where kindness dominates. We were never meant to do life alone, whether in the good times or bad, but especially during the bad times. It is the kindness of others that breathes life into our dark, depressing days and gives us hope to keep moving, even when giving up seems easier. Without kindness, what would this world look like? I shudder to even think of it.
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