Business I career coach
Please And Thank You
A
fter working out at a health
club many years ago, I smiled at
an elderly gentlemen and said
"excuse me" so I could get into my locker
without bumping into him. Later that
morning, he stopped me and asked me if
my mother was alive. I was a bit startled
by the question; but I answered, "No."
The man told me that if she were alive,
he would have told me to call her and
thank her for teaching me to be polite.
"I'm here every day at the same locker,"
he said. "People run past me and no one
ever, even stops to say excuse me."
I use this story in my own day-to-day
executive coaching role to explain how
important it is to use good manners in
managing employees. It took minimal
effort to smile at a kind man and even less
to say "excuse me" so I could pass him
without being rude.
Would you have ignored this man? Do
you say "please" to a manager who reports
to you before asking him to complete a
budget for next year? Do you express grat-
itude for jobs well done or are
This is not acceptable, so won't
you a just a task master who
you please join me in 2008 and
forgets simple manners when
ring in the secular New Year on a
high road? Let's bring good, old-
managing people?
I've heard many excuses
fashioned manners back into the
from managers who lack
boardroom. Here's a quick cheat
manners and the ability to
sheet to get you started:
offer any praise for good work.
• Memorize — and use
Some worry that praise or
— these words in every conver-
Robert Sher
sation: Please and thank you.
basic kindness might encour-
Colum nist
age employees to ask for pay
• Smile — it takes fewer
raises. Others spend more
muscles to smile than it does to
time on their computers, in meetings, typ- frown. It makes you more attractive, more
ing e-mail messages on Blackberries and
approachable and easier to please.
• Be positive. Walk around the office;
at lunch with cell phones glued to their
greet your employees
ears than engag-
ing in meaningful
in the morning and
"Let's bring g ood, old-
conversations with
say good night at
fashioned man ners back
quitting time.
people.
• Turn off your cell
Some are so
into the board room."
focused on the bot-
phone when you are
tom line they forget
in a meeting or at
to look others in the eye, open their doors
lunch. Do not text message while having a
to their offices or even say "good morning" conversation with another person.
• Try doing one random act of kindness
to their staff.
every day for an unsuspecting employee.
(Stop and chat with the mail clerk; ask the
security guard about his children; tell your
administrative assistant to take an extra
half hour for lunch one day.)
Many of you may already know my
favorite expression: "A fish rots from the
top down." If you are stinky, your employ-
ees will be stinky; but, if you are polite,
they will follow your lead, be polite and,
ultimately, feel good at work. What hap-
pens when employees feel good at work?
They are happy and, therefore, produce
quality work.
Using good manners is — and always
has been — a win-win for everybody.
❑
Robert Sher, CPA, is a certified executive
coach. Formerly CFO and partner for Livonia-
based Schostak Brothers & Co., he now serves
on the West Bloomfield Township Board of
Trustees and is treasurer of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Foundation. His e-mail address is:
info@bobshercom.
TAX PREPARATION
CORPORATE AND PERSONAL
Electronic Filing both Federal & State
Levy & Associates can help!
SPECIALIZING IN:
• Offer in Compromise
• IRS Collection Issues
• Release of Wage Garnishments
• Release of Bank Levies
• Unfiled Tax Returns
• Abatement of Penalties
• Installment Agreements
• Currently Non-Collectible Status
• Innocent Spouse Claims
• State Tax Collection Issues
We also offer:
PAYROLL SERVICES • MONTHLY BILLING• QUICKBOOKS SUPPORT
We are a Michigan based corporation. We have successfully
represented thousands of corporations and individuals
throughout the State of Michigan.
Associates:
•
•
•
•
•
Charles M. Inman, Ill, C.P.A.+
Glenn Sturm, C.P.A • •
Dale L. Gudenau, Esq.**
Michelle C. Levy, Esq.**
Julie Morley*
• Kenneth Winston, E.A.•
• Richard A. Erickson++
• Allen Reback, Regional Manager
• Jeffery Otis, Regional Manager
+ Member Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
** Member Michigan Bar Association
* Member National Society of Accountants
• Former IRS Revenue Officer
++American Society of Tax Problem Solvers
• •American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
A32
January 10 • 2008
Are you tired of not getting personalized attention from
your CPA? Do you use one of the "national chains"?
My firm will give you the most personalized
attention in the industry.
All returns are prepared or reviewed by a
Certified Public Accountant.
EVY
Early Bird Tax Season Discount -
receive $30.00 offyour tax
preparation fees if you come in
before February 28, 2008
•
A
TAX CONSULTAS \ITS
OFFICE
LOCATIONS
• New York
• Los Angeles
• Boston
• Ft. Lauderdale
• West Palm Beach
•Tampa
• Orlando
• Dallas
Lawrence B. Levy
Member National Society of Accountants &
American Society of Tax Problem Solvers
• Fort Worth
28400 Southfield Rd • Southfield, MI 48075
248.557.4048 • Fax 248.443.1642
Toll Free 877.666.1evy (5389)
www.levygroupinc.com
• Indianapolis