I guess not everyone was fortunate enough to have focused leaders early in their career. Here are some best practices I’ve taken for granted.

• The “customer” is always right.
  • It’s important to loosely define “customer”
  • Customers are (this is not an exhaustive list):
    • Employees,
    • Clients,
    • Buyers,
    • Donors,
    • Volunteers,
    • Bosses, or
    • Contractors.
  • Always assume every encounter is with a customer because you don’t want to be wrong at the wrong moment.
• Follow the chain of command
  • Have a gripe with a co-worker? Don’t go over their head.
  • Always go first to the person with whom you have a complaint
• Mind your Ps & Qs
  • I still don’t know what the P or Q stands for but the gist is – have good manners because
  • You attract more flies to honey than vinegar, and in this case
    • Everyone with whom you interact is a fly, and you want more flies on your side.
• Praise publicly
• Admonish privately
• Smile, it releases endorphins
• Be consistent with your moral values
• Give yourself an out
  • Every work situation can be stressful… so where are your sacred places to keep yourself in check?

More to add later. What are some “best practices” you’ve found?