I mentioned last week that I had given my US Open golf tickets to a friend. His daughter got maximum use of them as she was able to use the rain date on Monday to see the championship round from the first row in the bleachers on the 18th hole. I was simply happy to have the tickets used. I was even happier that it worked out so well for them

The wind breaker was a total surprise and the handwritten thanks from this teenager were particularly nice.

Compare her to the dude at the golf shop where I play. He is in his early 20s and in the past five months he has not once used my name. Nor has he said, “Sir” in lieu of my name. Nope, I am always “Maaaan” or “Duuude” or some other slangy and familiar term. Let’s be clear on this, I do not expect the staff to bow down to me. I worked at a golf club in my youth so I know what these guys go through, I like to think I am one of the cool people they deal with. I don’t mind if they call me “Wally” and I actually don’t mind the occasional “Man” or “Dude.” But this guy simply doesn’t get it and I can venture a guess that his success in life will be limited.

Compare him to the teenager with manners and I think we know who will win out in the long run. Maybe that is a bold prediction at this point but I can say she will win more friends and allies who respect her than he will. Ultimately, those friends and allies help us succeed in life.

We are adding an etiquette program to a corporate university I do because many of the emerging managers are terrible and need some coaching. This is a real issue in business today.

How good a job do you do with the fundamentals of manners and etiquette? How about those on your team?

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