Treating people with respect wins trust and develops lasting relationships. Just a few common sense approaches to consider:

1) Show up on time. I’m raising both hands, as I’m for sure guilty of violating this one. I continue to work on strategies to improve, and the best to have worked thus far is when I plan ahead and arrive early for appointments and meetings. I utilize the Calendar on my phone, GMail, and mobile alerts that signals or prompts when to begin transferring to an appointment. The fastest way to destroy people’s trust in you is to waste their time. If you would not appreciate it, what makes you think someone else will.

2) Effective Communicate. Communication is a two way street, which means that beyond getting your voice heard, you must listen carefully and completely when people speak to you. It is pivotal for understanding. Show a genuine interest in others before giving your opinion or postulating about yourself.

3) Plan projects. For example, always prepare an agenda for meetings. Contact key participants before the meeting to hear their views, solicit suggestions for agenda items, and coach them on how to prepare for the meeting. Send agendas far enough before the meeting so that people have time to prepare. Consider: Bad meetings demonstrate an inability to provide leadership.

4) Be courteous. Find the good in everyone. Compliment others. Avoid starting or listening to gossip. Never ridicule, insult, or make fun of other people. Use positive words, always speaking about what you want and how you want things to be. Avoid suggesting motives or assigning judgments for other people’s actions and views. Consider: Discourtesy damages all relationships.

5) Help others. Be a mentor for newcomers. Share ideas. Teach people skills that will help them excel. Work with a spirit of abundance. Seek win/win results. Let others speak first, even on issues where you are an expert. Give first without attaching a receipt for return favors. Consider: Selfish people end up working harder.