It is so easy and yet so many people miss the mark on this. Start now. Being nice is not being weak. Lawson Hunter, a former Stikeman Elliott Partner and member of the Order of Canada on his acceptance of the 2016 Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award said in part, “It never hurts to be nice to people.”
Over the course of my career, I can count on perhaps three fingers receiving some dispensation from a regulator that I was clearly not entitled to, with a firm warning of course not to ask for it again or to use it a precedent. Why? I really don’t think it was any great lawyering, but rather just being nice and treating people with respect. As to any matters won (or lost for that matter) in negotiations, that is for the other side to count on. I have no clue.
Be nice to everyone – your colleagues, your juniors, the staff who can make you shine (or not), counsel on the other side of the table, regulators, to say nothing of your friends, family and personal support systems, whether it be your dry cleaner, delivery person or the myriad of other real people you rely upon. It is such a better way to go through life and a career.
Your reputation will indeed proceed you and stick with you forever. Professionally, you will be working with the same people over and over again for much of your career. Believe me. Be nice to them. It will pay back in dividends.