The Courtesy System - an old idea with a new relevance
I’m frequently contacted by people who have products and services of relevance to my clients. For over 20+ years I have maintained a policy that I do not accept introducers fees or commissions – I simply broadcast and comment on good ideas.
It seems (and it is) many years since I hosted a UK and Ireland lecture tour by the uniquely eccentric Australian dentist Dr. Paddi Lund.
Do you remember the moments of bewilderment as the audience sat and waited for Paddi's publisher, Fletcher Potanin, to serve him tea at his comfy armchair and low table on stage?
The astonishment as we saw photographs of Paddi's practice - no signage and a lock on the door, as we heard about his $10,000 coffee machine and home-baked sugar-free dental buns?
Those were the days. Critical Non-Essentials.
My (now adult) kids used to pull my leg that a copy of Paddi's "Courtesy System" used to hang on our wall at home - that same plaque now hangs on my office wall in The Barrow Bunker.
It has been there for so long that I ignore it.
Yet recently, I've had occasion to either remind of or reveal it's contents and philosophy to some of my clients.
We live in extraordinary times. Emotions are running high.
I'm hearing very day about awkward conversations with patients, team members, self-employed clinicians and owners.
Some of Paddi's material and presentation might now seem old-fashioned. Ideas from an earlier (and simpler) time.
The Courtesy System has, I believe, become relevant again - and is worth a revisit.
You can still access the material here:
My August Extreme Business Academy content is going to be devoted to a tutorial and expert interview on the subject of how to handle other people's performance and behaviour when they are in an emotionally charged state.
The idea of reviving a formal courtesy system really resonates, especially when everything else in practice life has gone digital and fast. I’m curious whether you see it working better as a written code the whole team signs off on, or as something leaders simply have to model relentlessly first?
omnigemini
This was a thoughtful reminder that professionalism isn't just about expertise—it's also about how we treat people during difficult moments. Revisiting concepts like the Courtesy System encourages leaders to slow down, listen actively, and respond with intention rather than emotion. As someone interested in how educational content is delivered online, I've been experimenting with Figma to code converters to better understand how impactful learning experiences are transformed into effective digital platforms. Thanks for bringing this important philosophy back into the conversation.
I really enjoyed this reflection on the Courtesy System and its renewed relevance in today's emotionally charged environments. In both leadership and client-facing roles, small acts of respect and empathy can have a profound impact on trust and collaboration. It's interesting how timeless principles often become most valuable during periods of uncertainty. I've also been exploring Nano Banana 2 AI visual content generators to create engaging training materials around communication and team development, and they've proven to be a useful complement to traditional learning approaches.
this reflection on paddi lund's courtesy system is timely. the core idea of focusing on critical non-essentials and respectful interactions feels especially pertinent now. your long-standing policy of sharing good ideas without commissions adds a layer of authenticity to revisiting these concepts. it's a useful reminder that foundational principles of service and courtesy can regain relevance in complex times. AI Image Editor
Wow, that sounds like a fascinating lecture tour! It’s cool you’ve stuck to your principles all these years. I’ve been experimenting with AI art lately, and tools like Make It Ugly are really fun for creating something different.