May.17.2026 The Value of Professional Courtesy...When a handshake stops meaning something~

Let's start simple.

Everyone wants to matter.

And they do.

And in professional relationships...

how we treat each other is how we show it.

And sometimes...

it's not the outcome that reveals whether someone mattered.

Its how the ending was handled.

Because everyone matters.

Not just when it's convenient

but especially when it's not.

If everyone matters...then how we act also matters.

I have been a professional for over 44 years.

I have seen so much kindness ...and pain.

Yes pain.

Not the kind of pain work causes.

That heals.

The kind people cause.

Neglect.

Selfishness.

Entitlement.

Distrust.

Disregard.... actually make that blatant disregard.

Disrespect.

And all of that is unnecessary.

And harmful.

I am a handshake person.

I learned the hard way what that means

about people's values and ethics.

You would think

that it would have tainted me by now.

But it hasn't.

Because it really is simple.

After all of these years

I still treat people the way I expect to be treated.

It's that simple.

It starts with self respect.

Because if you respect yourself~

you don't treat people cheaply.

Not their time.

Not their work.

Not their value.