Dear Bob ... Your column, Be as ROTten as you like, was a good one. Let me tell you a story about valuing relationships. This story came from a man who served in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He saw some of his fellow Assemblymen profiting from their office, and he thought that was wrong. So he sponsored a bill to put a stop to it. This was not a popular bill. The House Speaker used a parlia Dear Bob …Your column, Be as ROTten as you like, was a good one. Let me tell you a story about valuing relationships.This story came from a man who served in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He saw some of his fellow Assemblymen profiting from their office, and he thought that was wrong. So he sponsored a bill to put a stop to it. This was not a popular bill.The House Speaker used a parliamentary maneuver to kill this unpopular bill. My friend went home that day thinking some dark thoughts about the Speaker, who was a very powerful man. Later on, the Speaker called to invite my friend to a public dinner given by somebody else for some occasion. This came as a surprise. My friend told me very deliberately that he accepted this invitation. It marked a turning point in their relationship.This is a story about two men realizing the value of their relationship transcends a point of disagreement. It’s a story about how grown-ups ought to behave. And it’s a story about how political power gets created and used. In contrast: I had a manager who tried to curry favor with his boss at my expense. He gave me a couple of ludicrous Corrective Measures in my performance review. This guy wasn’t smart enough to soften the blow by reaching out afterward. He’s a smart guy, but not when it comes to dealing with people. A common affliction among IT managers.Then again, while still pouting over this foolishness, I wouldn’t have been able to accept any overture from him. We’ve had to write each other off.– Trying to be as ROTten as possible Dear ROTten …An excellent example of ROT (Relationships Outlive Transactions). Here’s an equally excellent example of the opposite. LBJ cajoled, arm-twisted and otherwise politicked for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Shortly after signing it, he commented to Bill Moyers, “I think we’ve just delivered the South to the Republican Party for the rest of my life, and yours.”It was a case of the transaction being more important than the relationship. Also a good point about your relationship with your manager. Especially in business, there are times you have to remember that good working relationships aren’t always based on affection and limitless trust. Sometimes, the “trust” amounts to nothing more than understanding the other person’s character well enough to know how he or she will respond and what he or she will find persuasive.– Bob ——– Technology Industry