Building Success with Business Ethics: Advice from Business Leaders (Collection)

Chapter Nine Graciousness Is Next To Godliness

Treat competitors, colleagues, employees, and customers with respect.

Few human traits are as critical to one’s relationship with others as graciousness. It embodies love, kindness, sensitivity, and charity—the qualities of people who have great inner faith. One’s capacity to be kind, decent, and thoughtful is the manifestation of godliness, a demeanor that has earned respect for men and women of all faiths and backgrounds.

We are taught in our youth to be kind to others as a matter of habit. The lesson doesn’t always stick around in adulthood. Decency is lacking in today’s highly competitive business world, political arenas, and sporting events. It doesn’t have to be. You can win with grace and ...