George Washington: Image Conscious

By age sixteen (in 1748), George Washington had copied out, by hand, 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. (You can see a facsimile in his own handwriting here.) Guess what! Many relate to effective public relations and are still relevant in 2009. Here is a brief selection:

• 1st — “Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.”
• 35th — “Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.”
• 56th — “Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.”
• 73d — “Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.”
• 110th — “Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience. “

Not only a great military man and president – but also a public relations visionary!

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