"Treat people how you would like to be treated."

Chances are you have heard some version of this statement -- as a child, when it came to playmates, during school, as you developed relationships with friends, and now, as an adult in the professional world.

However, I must respectfully disagree, as I prefer this: 

"Treat people how they would like to be treated."

"But wait! I think it is really important to treat people well." OR "I have high standards and I make sure I give people the important things -- those little details that are so important to me! ..."

And therein is the difference; it is not about you, it is about the other person. What may be of concern to you might have little impact on someone else, whereas what is of the utmost importance to another individual could be considered silly on your part.

People are different; we have individual needs, interests, likes, dislikes and desires. If you want to have an impact on someone, recognize this.