Over the past few years I’ve been lucky. I have been reminded of the most important thing we can all do to be more successful in our businesses, our careers and our personal lives.

Treat everyone well.

It’s a simple lesson but easily forgotten. Or maybe, for some, it was never learned. I admit to neglecting this rule more than once in my career. Maybe because it’s so simple, we disregard its value and its power.

I just went to my city hall to pay my taxes. The woman behind the counter looked at me as I waited for her to finish with the gentleman in front of me. Although she looked directly at me, she did not in any way acknowledge me. No smile, no “hi,” no “I will be right with you.” Not even a nod.

How did this make me feel?

VERY uncomfortable. VERY unimportant. VERY invisible.

I was standing in line at my favorite sub shop. I cringed every time the guy next to me spoke. “I want tomatoes, onions and hot mustard.” Seconds later: “Gimme more pickles.” And then “Make sure you don’t get that other stuff on my sandwich.” (Exactly what “other stuff” did he mean??)

A foundation of my philosophy (in business and in the rest of my life) is that we need to treat everyone well. Another way to look at this is we’re here to serve others. And the best way to serve others (or at least, the best way to start) is by putting others first. This means treating them with courtesy, dignity and kindness. It also means putting their interests ahead of ours.

Sometimes people who focus on improving customer service forget that the lessons apply to everyone. This includes when we are customers. Here’s what I mean.

Remember, the three requirements of an Amazing customer experience are:

1. Treat me well
2. Help me accomplish what I want
3. Offer me value

If you’ve read much of my work, you know a big part of what I preach is that Amazing customer service starts with treating everyone well.  If you want more loyal customers, treat them well. But in doing so you need to treat everyone well, not just customers.

What’s amusing (but in a sad way) is how many people who contact me violate this very basic idea. They request information. They want pricing. They have a question. They expect me to stop what I’m doing and respond to them. They want my help.

Yet, when

Here’s an easy way to spot a successful organization.

When you do business with someone observe how they treat everyone. Watch how they deal with employees, vendors, customers and others.

The most successful and sustainable companies treat everyone well. They know (and their actions show) there is no second class.

But we all know this is not the norm.

“The two most powerful things in existence: a kind word and a thoughtful gesture.”

-Ken Langone, founder Home Depot
Built from Scratch: How a Couple of Regular Guys Grew The Home Depot from Nothing to $30 Billion

Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing.

-Samuel Smile

People miss meetings or show up very late. They take phone calls or let people walk into the middle of scheduled meetings. They don’t return phone calls. The list goes on. We all deal with these annoying behaviors as we do our jobs and manage our businesses.

I did some research on Google and I discovered I’m not the only one who pays attention to these things. Others are indeed bothered by bad manners. You can buy a book, take a class or even hire a consultant to help you address the problem of bad manners in your business.

According to one study I found

Here is your Daily Dose of Amazing Service:

Treat everyone well

And here are some additional thoughts on this topic…

If you want to improve your customer service, start with the next person you have contact with. Whether they are a customer, a vendor, a salesman or your mother-in-law, treat that person well. Then do it again with the next person. And so on.

Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of pleasures, costs nothing, and conveys much. It pleases him who gives and receives and thus, like mercy, is twice blessed.

-Erastus Wiman
Author of: Chances of Success