My dearest friends,
A Thoughtful Reflection by One of Our Own – Javed Bolah
We’re proud to share this powerful and timely piece penned by one of The British School of Excellence's distinguished alumni, Javed Bolah. Based in the idyllic setting of Mauritius, Javed brings a wealth of experience in Communication & PR, Brand Revitalisation, International Protocol, and Etiquette. His words remind us that true leadership isn’t measured by title or attire—but by how we treat others, especially when we think no one is watching.
Please enjoy this insightful reflection from Javed, titled:
“Just a Nobody in the Lobby”
The senior manager strode into the office like royalty, inspecting his subjects—back straight, chin raised, eyes scanning the room with detached superiority. Then, his gaze landed on him: a modestly dressed, soft-spoken man waiting patiently in the lobby. The manager’s expression flickered—just for a second—with something between indifference and disdain. No handshake. No greeting. Just a curt nod before disappearing into his glass-walled office.
What he didn’t know? That "poorly dressed" man influenced a network responsible for 30% of the company’s revenue. A month later, the news broke: the client had quietly shifted his business and network elsewhere. No drama, no confrontation—just a polite email thanking the firm for its "services" and moving on. The reason? "I never felt valued here."
The senior manager was stunned. "But he never even told us he was unhappy!" he protested. That was the point. Some clients don’t complain—they leave.
WHAT MANY LEADERS IGNORE
1. Your Title Doesn’t Command Respect—Your Behaviour Does
Walking around like a monarch doesn’t make you powerful; it makes you oblivious. The most influential leaders I’ve met are the ones who treat everyone—from interns to billionaires—with equal courtesy.
2. Appearances Lie, Loyalty Doesn’t
That "unimportant-looking" person in casual clothes? Could be your biggest client, a future investor, or the person who decides your next career move. Judge value by impact, not by suits.
3. Culture Starts at the Top—So Does Hypocrisy
If leaders dismiss people based on superficial traits, employees will too. Soon, you are not just losing clients—you are fostering a toxic workplace where arrogance replaces excellence. To the leaders who have forgotten: Even if you've gone through all the leadership and executive presence training in the world, you’re not royalty. I’m not writing this from some moral high ground.
Like you, I’ve had moments I’m not proud of. And that’s exactly why this matters. You are in the service business. Your clients pay your salary, fund your bonuses, and—if treated poorly—will happily take it all elsewhere. The best leaders I know don’t demand respect—they earn it. And it starts with one simple habit: Treat everyone like they are the most important person in the room. Because one day, they just might be.
I wish you a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to receiving your feedback and questions on any aspect of etiquette.
Warm regards,
Lady Arabella
