Little kindness and courtesies are so important. In relationships, the little things are the big things.

If there is no gardener there is no garden.

Empathy takes time, and efficiency is for things, not people.

Empathic listening is so powerful because it gives you accurate data to work with. Instead of projecting your own autobiography and assuming thoughts, feelings, motives and interpretation, you're dealing with the reality inside another person's head and heart. You're listening to understand. You're focused on receiving the deep communication of another human soul.

Trust is a function of both character and competence. Of course you can't trust someone who lacks integrity, but if someone is honest but they can't perform, you're not going to trust them either. You won't trust them to get the job done.

You can't be successful with other people if you haven't paid the price of success with yourself.

Fundamentally, we are a product of choice, not nature (genes) or nurture (upbringing, environment).