It is not always a sign of rudeness for someone to barge in without an appointment. Sometimes it is a simple sign of affection. It is fine to come out shake their hands, smile, and explain that there are a group of biggies in the room with you and it is going to take all-day, so: “why not let’s try next week?”

I am reminded of yet another telecom company and its stiff CEO. Some bigshot from the City Council who was visiting another officer had decided to pass by and “say hello” to the CEO. The CEO’s harried secretary scampered into his suite to find an excuse, but before the door could close Mr Stiff-CEO had already started shouting: “I’m not seeing anyone without an appointment!” The City Council man left immediately. When I heard two months later that several gleaming offices of the company had been padlocked by grinning town-guards over a delay in settling municipal rates (blamed by the company on an “˜accounting misunderstanding’) I shook my head sadly, knowingly.

Read Part 5: Courtesy Should be a Line Item