The toughest part of writing a new book is choosing the epigraph—a dozen words penned by someone else that perfectly encapsulate what one has been up to for the prior five years. Well, I am entirely happy, even ecstatic, about the epigraph to The Little BIG Things*:
Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.—Henry Clay
In fact, I’m now making what I call “The ‘Eight Courtesies'” the centerpiece of my presentations. Below you’ll find the List of Eight. Also, I have included a fully annotated version of The Eight Courtesies PowerPoint. (And a shorter version, from shorter presentations, The Five Courtesies PowerPoint.)
The “Eight Courtesies”
- Stay in touch. (MBWA.)
- Invest in relationships. (Make friends. Obsess.)
- Listen. (Respect. Learn. Student. PROFESSIONAL. Sustainable Competitive Advantage #1)
- Ask. (Engage. Inspire. Consult. React.)
- Thank. (Appreciate. Acknowledge.)
- Network. (“Suck down.” C(I)>C(E).)
- Apologize. (Unequivocal. Rectify. Over-react. Forgive.)
- Practice thoughtfulness. (Kindness is free. This is … STRATEGIC.)
The “Five Courtesies”
- Listen. (Respect. Learn. Student. PROFESSIONAL. Sustainable Competitive Advantage #1.)
- Ask. (Engage. Inspire. Consult. React.)
- Thank. (Appreciate. Acknowledge.)
- Apologize. (Unequivocal. Rectify. Over-react. Forgive.)
- Practice thoughtfulness. (Kindness is free. This is … STRATEGIC.)
[*Tom’s new book, The Little BIG Things: 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence, is to appear in early 2010.—CM]