I'll share two insights I've learned over time about courtesy.
1) Being courteous, over the long term, gives you power. There have been a number of initiatives I've been able to get done at work, that others could not, simply because colleagues give me a greater benefit of the doubt. They do so because I have always treated them very well, even when we disagree.
2) To be truly courteous, you must be very organized. If you're unorganized, it's easy to lose track of things--and it will be impossible to keep track of the many niceties of small interactions. But these are what add up, over time, to a great reputation.
Number 2 is an insight I have learned (and continue to learn) the hard way.
I'd add that you should always respond as quickly as possible. If when you receive something you immediately write a thank-you, for example, it always gets done. If you wait you can more easily lose track.
I'm not sure if this is help or stating the obvious but I've found that consciously making the effort to remember stuff and record it in my mind goes a long way to staying organised on this front. I found the best way to start was with people's names, when someone says "Hi, I'm X" I try to response with "Hi X, it's good to meet you, I'm Simon". Just this simple repetition of their name goes a long way to committing it to memory, if you can say it a couple more times in the conversation you won't forget it again.
1) Being courteous, over the long term, gives you power. There have been a number of initiatives I've been able to get done at work, that others could not, simply because colleagues give me a greater benefit of the doubt. They do so because I have always treated them very well, even when we disagree.
2) To be truly courteous, you must be very organized. If you're unorganized, it's easy to lose track of things--and it will be impossible to keep track of the many niceties of small interactions. But these are what add up, over time, to a great reputation.
Number 2 is an insight I have learned (and continue to learn) the hard way.