Treat the Janitor the Same as the CEO – Every Job Has Dignity

I’ve been around long enough to know this: titles don’t define people. Character does.

Early in my career, I was a “doer” — a programmer grinding through code, an analyst poring over numbers late into the night. I didn’t start with a corner office or a fancy title. And I never forgot that. Over time, I moved into leadership, founded a company, helped it grow, and eventually sold it. But even at the height of that journey, I never believed my worth — or anyone else’s — came from a job title.

I believe deeply in the dignity of work. All work.

Some of the most impactful people in my life weren’t executives. They were the ones who quietly kept everything moving — the administrative assistant who kept us sane, the facilities team that showed up before the rest of us did, the custodian who smiled and asked how my day was going while changing out a trash can. You’d be surprised how much you can learn about humility, work ethic, and grace just by watching people like that.

A while back, I was having lunch with a friend. Our waitress looked like she was having a tough day — not rude, not unprofessional, just… worn down. You could see it in her posture, her eyes, her energy. At the end of the meal, I made a point to look her in the eye and say, “Hey, I really appreciate your service today — thank you.” Her face lit up. For a moment, that weight she’d been carrying seemed to lift. As we walked out, my friend turned to me and said, “That was a really nice thing to do.”

But here’s the thing — it didn’t feel like something special. It felt like something we should all be doing.

I’ve seen organizations where respect only flows upward. Where power gets too comfortable, and hierarchy becomes a shield. And I’ve seen the opposite — teams where mutual respect is a core value, where the CEO knows everyone’s name and asks how their kids are doing, and where the janitor gets the same warm handshake as the board chair.

Guess which kind of culture builds loyalty, resilience, and trust?

Leadership isn’t about commanding attention. It’s about how you treat people when there’s nothing in it for you. It’s saying thank you — and meaning it — to the people whose work might go unseen. It’s knowing that someone who cleans the floors has just as much humanity, and often more wisdom, than the person who signs the checks.

If you lead a team, run a business, or coach others — ask yourself: Would your people say you treat everyone with equal dignity? Do you walk the halls and make time for the folks behind the scenes?

Because people remember how you made them feel. Especially when you didn’t have to make them feel anything at all.

In my view, the best organizations — and the best leaders — never forget that everyone contributes. Everyone matters. And everyone deserves respect.

Whether you’re sweeping floors or setting strategy, your job has dignity.

Let’s act like it.