Grandma Was Right

BY ALEXANDRA LEVIT , Wall Street Journal - In a competitive job market and workplace, we often think we have to do something extraordinary to stand out, but this isn't necessarily the case. Sometimes, it's the little things that encourage people to remember and appreciate us -- the foundation for a career boost later on.

When popular business author Tom Peters gives a speech, hundreds of people wait in line for just a few minutes of his time. At a seminar, Mr. Peters was in a foul mood. Everything was going wrong and the talk seemed doomed. But just before showtime, Mr. Peters encountered an enthusiastic audio/visual staffer ...