Thompson & Knight partner Pauline E. Higgins penned a thoughtful piece for Texas Lawyer on the toll of what she calls "microinequities." Few of us work with someone whose lack of tact compares to Simon Cowell's shtick on "American Idol." You know his trademark phrase, "...I don't mean to be rude, but..." However, Higgins maintains that practically imperceptible communication habits and mannerisms, i.e. "microinequities," can have a profound influence on workplace morale. She cites things like dismissing one employee's idea only to embrace it when it's paraphrased by another or subtly excluding some employees from social activities. It's a well-written piece that's worth a read. She ends with this profound quote from an unknown author:

Be careful of your thoughts; they become your words;
Be careful of your words; they become your actions;
Be careful of your actions; they become your habits;
Be careful of your habits; they become character;
Be careful of your character; it becomes your destiny