If you noticed, Microsoft’s Chairman, Bill Gates ( and world’s richest man for ten years running) is undergoing a makeover — from somebody seen as an aloof, arrogant and introverted geek as recent as five years ago, to somebody who is a philanthropist more at ease with life, and with fatherhood, and who has lightened up and more friendly.

There is nothing new on this, except to stress the importance that even as a top exec or CEO, or more specially because you ARE CEO, it is very important that you are correctly perceived by the press, and your people, and you are able to inject the proper values and image that you would like your company to be known for.

Foremost I believe is courtesy and friendliness. This trait would not rank high in any CEO list, but I would think this is important. Especially in Asia, some amount of humility is still seen as a virtue.

This morning, I passed by the TV while my kids was watching a cartoon. A fighter pilot was reminding the team that he was the best pilot there is. In which he was reprimanded by the leader who said, ” There is a difference between confidence and cockiness. When you think you are better than the rest, you will be in trouble“. Look about learning from an anime show and from the world’s richest man about the basics of being friendly and amiable.

No big message here, except smile more often, and be more considerate. I close with a Chinese saying, “He who cannot smile, should not open shop.”