Are you a trusted strategic advisor? What is your level of influence?

1). Are you getting called earlier (first?)

2). Are you invited to key meetings before things go in the ditch? And other key decisions?

3). Do people remember what you say and perhaps quote you in other places and venues?

The true test of civility is a commitment to verbal and written communication that are predominantly positive and declarative and behaviors that are simple, sensitive, sensible, constructive, positive, helpful, empathetic and benefit the recipient out of proportion positively to the sender.

There are so many pathways to civility, decency, and integrity, pick as many as you can....

These are personal mandates that drive you relentlessly backward, forward and to focus on the truth. So many voices from so many directions clouds the truth. So many lies, repeated, even by the media, so often the perpetrators, prognosticators, bloviators, bellyachers and backbench complainers forget the truth.

*an individual public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives (Dictionary.com)

“Jim… wanted to drop you a note to let you know I’m thinking of you and Barbara. You were the first person to reach out to congratulate me when I was named to the College of Fellows, and I’ll never forget that. And, without a doubt, getting to listen to and learn from you has been the best part of my joining BEPS this year. Please let me know if there’s anything I can ever do to be of service.”

-A friend and colleague of many years