When business consultant Nancy Michaels had a near-death experience requiring a liver transplant in 2005, one of her biggest national clients kept her on retainer even though she was in a coma. Why? Because Michaels had proven her value to the company many times over, and she had developed a solid team that could keep her work going even as she fought for her life.

The crisis proved to Michaels that doing business by the Golden Rule works: she treated her client well, giving above and beyond of her time and talents. In return, when she was in trouble, the client came through for her. (more…)