We’ve all heard The Golden Rule, probably so many times that it loses its meaning.

Basically, it’s “treat other people the way you want them to treat you.”

I just realized how important that truth is for leaders.

Remember how the workplace felt before you were the boss.

Remember how you felt mistreated, under-appreciated, dismissed, ignored or looked down upon because you were young.

It didn’t feel good, did it?  

So now that you’re in leadership, shouldn’t you remember that and begin to treat others that way you wished you had been treated?

Even as a customer, a vendor, or a donor, how would you want to be treated?  Do that.  Treat a customer the way you’d want to be treated.  Treat a donor the way you would want to be treated.

The Golden Rule is probably one of the most important lessons a leader can learn and live.

-      Wayne Pederson