We were told the following story by a lawyer who worked with Native American tribes. Someone who was being considered for a joint venture with the tribe was brought to a "meeting" with the chief of the tribe at a local restaurant. There was one excuse after another explaining the chief's lack of appearance. Finally, the man demanded that the chief show up, or he would leave, because he was a busy man. At that point, the people at the table explained that the chief had been there the whole time -- he was the one bringing water to the table. And he had decided the tribe would not go into business with the man. How you treat the people you think don't matter says volumes about who you are.