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Business Etiquette/Retaining U.S. gov't cabinet titles

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Expert: - 3/27/2011


Question
What's the correct protocol in referring to previous holders of sub-cabinet positions in the U.S. Gov't?  Should they continue to be addressed as "Mr. Undersecretary" or "Madam Assistant Secretary", or does that honor only apply to Cabinet rank officers?

Answer
Dear K.:
After the person no longer holds the position the only officials who retain their title in conversation are Senators and Governors.  Under-cabinet positions are not addressed with their title even when they are active.  They are addressed in conversation as Mr. or Ms.. Their title is only spelled out on invitations, business cards and letters.  When cabinet rank officers are active they are addressed in conversation as Mr. or Madam Secretary or Secretary Jones.  All ranking officers and elected officials of any rank will maintain The Honorable for the rest of their lives but you don't address them as The Honorable in conversation.  It is spelled out on envelopes and in letters.  Even out of office Presidents are not called President after they leave office. They become Mr. or can use Senator or Governor if they were one prior to the presidency.

I hope this helps.

All the best,
Cynthia Lett  

Business Etiquette

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Cynthia W. Lett

Expertise

Author of "That's So Annoying - An Etiquette Expert On The World's Most Irritating Habits And What To Do About Them" . One of the few Certified Etiquette Professionals (CEP) and Certified Protocol Professionals(CPP) earned by examination through the International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals (www.ispep.org). I will be happy to answer your questions about business or social etiquette, international customs or protocol issues.

Experience

Ms. Lett has trained over 100 etiquette professionals worldwide to teach the subject to professionals and children. She has worked in 102 countries and is expert in doing business in unfamiliar cultures. Ms. Lett is principal of The Lett Group since 1983. Professionally, Ms. Lett is the founder of and serves as Executive Director of the International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals headquartered in Washington, DC.

Organizations
University Club of Washington, DC She is an active member of the National Speakers Association, American Society for Training and Development; Women Business Owners; Professional Convention Management Association; and past member of the American Society of Association Executives; Foundation for International Meetings (Board of Governors 1986-1987). She was elected into Who's Who of American Women; Who's Who of Advertising Executives; 2000 Notable American Women; Who's Who of the World's Women; Who's Who of U.S. Executives and Who's Who of the World.

Publications
Ms.Lett is the author of "That's So Annoying: An Etiquette Expert On The World's Most Irritating Habits And What To Do About Them" available wherever books are sold and at www.thatssoannoyingbook.com. She has been featured and quoted in publications such as Successful Meetings, Meetings and Conventions, Meeting News, Business Travel News, Washington Business Journal, Washington Post, New York Times, Regardies Magazine, Wall Street Journal, The Robb Report, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Harvard Business Review, Ohio Business Review, Training and Development Journal, CIO Magazine and others

Education/Credentials
Certified Protocol Professional Certified Etiquette Professional Certificate: Adult Learning Techniques - George Washington University Master-Legal Studies - Antioch School of Law BS - Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Management - Purdue University BA - Public Relations / Interpersonal Communications - Purdue University

Awards and Honors
Distinguished Darden Professor - Purdue University

Past/Present Clients
During 1990, Ms. Lett planned a series of Business Exchange meetings in the Soviet Union for entrepreneurs from the United States who wished to learn about joint ventures with the Soviets in many different fields. She is featured in the PBS special – Pioneer Living – as the protocol expert. Ms. Lett is also the etiquette expert for the Fine Living Channel and currently featured in Survival Guide – Office Etiquette. She is also a frequent expert on etiquette issues for Fox Cable News.

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