Manners that can by any possibility be construed as mincing, foppish or effeminate are not recommended; but a gentleman who says “Good morning” to his employees and who invariably treats all women as “ladies,” does not half so much flatter their vanity as win their respect for himself as a gentleman.  Again, good manners are, after all, nothing but courteous consideration of other people’s interests and feelings.  That being true, does it not follow that all customers, superior officers and employees prefer an executive whose good manners imply consideration of his customer’s, his company’s and his employee’s interest as well as merely his own?

=PERFECT POLISH THAT IS UNSUSPECTED=

The president of a great industry, whose mastery of etiquette is one of his chief assets, so submerges this asset in other and more apparent qualifications, that every plain man he comes in contact with takes it for granted that he is an equally “plain” man himself.  He is plain in so far as he is straightforward in attitude and simple in manner.  No red tape is required apparently to penetrate into this president’s private office, whereas many “small” men are guarded with pretentiousness that is often an effort to give an impression of “importance.”

In this big man’s employ there is an especial assistant chosen purposely because of his tact and good manners.  If an unknown person asks to see Mr. President, this deputy is sent out (as from most offices) to find out what the visitor’s business is; but instead of being told bluntly the boss doesn’t know him and can’t see him, the visitor is made to feel how much the president will regret not seeing him.  Perhaps he is told, “Mr. President is in conference just now.  I know he would not like you to be kept waiting; can I be of any service to you?  I am his junior assistant.”  If the visitor’s business is really with the president, he is admitted to the chief executive’s office, since it is the latter’s policy to see every one that he can.

He has a courteous manner that makes every one feel there is nothing in the day’s work half so important as what his visitor has come to see him about!  Nor is this manner insincere; for whatever time one sees him, he gives his undivided attention.  Should his time be short, and the moment approach when he is due at an appointment, his secretary enters, a purposely arranged ten minutes ahead of the time necessary for the close of the present interview, and apologetically reminds him, “I’m sorry, Mr. President, but your appointment with the ‘Z’ committee is due.”  Mr. President with seeming unconcern, uses up most of the ten minutes, and his lingering close of the conversation gives his visitor the impression that he must have been late at his appointment, and wholly because of the unusual interest felt in his caller.