by Karen Cleveland
I spent some time recently having coffee with some keeners who tracked me down to ask me about my work (day job is in marketing). Some reeked of entitlement. Others were rock stars, who I’ll likely be working for in a few years (quite happily, I might add – they seem smart and nice) .

Which leads me neatly to my point: be nice to folks on the way up, because if you fall, you’ll have to pass them all on the way down.

Some people only see the value in treating their seniors well. But you never know when the lady who passes you your morning coffee or newspaper may suddenly will be across an interview table from you. Everyone deserves you at your finest.

I interviewed someone for a junior role over lunch once and the candidate was perfectly charming. She pretty well had the job in the bag — until she was terribly rude to the server. And didn’t thank me for lunch. Or hold the door for the person behind her.