Rule 99. Maintain Good Relationships and Friendships

I have a friend who has a catchphrase—don’t we all?—and his is, “I don’t see how that can possibly be good manners.” He uses it if anyone talks across him at meetings or steals his ideas. I love it because it says everything about poor working relationships. Good manners—what a simple concept but how big a subject.

It is easy to maintain good relationships and friendships at work if you maintain good manners. This doesn’t have to mean opening doors for people or carrying their briefcases. Good manners is being polite, warm, human, compassionate, helpful, welcoming—all the things you’d be for your customers, or should be. (I’m sure you are.)