While eating dinner the other night, my wife casually commented, “Did you know you didn’t open my door when we came out of the grocery store?”

Before you jump to the assumption that she’s demanding or high-maintenance, let me give you a little background. When we first started dating years ago she resisted letting me open the door for her.  She said it was unnecessary, that she was healthy and perfectly capable of opening her own door. Furthermore, she didn’t need to be patronized.

I told her that when I open her door, it’s one of the ways I remind her of how much I appreciate her companionship and respect her.  Every step I take on my way around the car to open her door is a step that reminds me to be thankful for having such a wonderful partner into my life (if you've been in bad relationships--personally or professionally--you learn to appreciate the good ones).  

So for me, opening her door is not just a mere matter of gentlemanly courtesy, it’s more a matter being thankful to god for bringing us together and for having someone in life that I really connect with. So by now she’s used to it…and she notices when it’s absent.

Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and when we consistently express that appreciation beyond a spoken “thank you,” we take the game to another level. This same attitude applies to business. When we show (emphasis on “show – not just say”) our associates and clients that we appreciate them through consistent, tangible actions, it increases the loyalty factor, which, in the larger scheme of things, will make the business relationship much more meaningful and rewarding.

There are other things I do for my wife every chance I get. Every morning when she gets out the shower she has a hot cup of coffee sitting on the vanity waiting for her. We never ride in the car together without me touching her hand.  I’ve sent her a picture and a special message every day since we started dating.  Everyone in our house has a night to clean the kitchen, and on her night I make sure we I go down and help her (who knew doing the dishes could ever be fun?).

Our kids say that she’s spoiled. I disagree. She’s not spoiled—she’s special, and I want to remind her of that as often as I can. I use the same approach with clients, co-workers and associates.  I intentionally think about how I can contribute to their day--beyond whatever service is expected of me. 

Little things can add up quickly, and when you treat co-workers, business associates and clients like they’re special you grow beyond your current boundaries, and amazing things start happening in your business and life.

©Copyright 2015 Carl Prude Jr.

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About The Author: Carl Prude Jr. is Director of Centermark Learning Solutions, a Performance and Work-Life company. For media, speaking engagements, or permissions, contact – http://www.centermarklearning.com