If there is just one thing I am allowed to take away from growing up in the midwest it is don’t be an asshole (be nice).
Of course this isn't exclusive to the Midwest, but it's definitely one thing we're known for and a huge part of how I've approached my career and life.
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
In business it's easier to take shortcuts and do things the wrong way. You may grow your career or business at the peril of your competition, client's best interest or even your own moral foundation. The thing about taking that path is that you wear it brightly on your sleeve and you will quickly tarnish your reputation. Getting ahead or getting new work won't be impossible but it will certainly get harder and harder.
It all stems from empathy and the golden rule. Somehow many professionals, many people, forget how to put themselves in someone else's shoes. This gets in the way of so much from negotiating to building a company culture.
Wondersauce has been called "The nice agency" by the students of HyperIsland and we've received great client feedback on what it is like to interact with our team compared to other agencies. It goes back to our empathy and desire to do what is right even when it means sacrificing to make it happen.
Take a day to really watch how people treat each other and how businesses conduct themselves. You're not going to change them by doing this but you may just become slightly more self aware of how you're interacting with the people in your own life.