I met Mr. Hughes on only a couple of occasions and wish that I had more opportunities before his passing this month. I am most appreciative of one bit of advice he gave during my first meeting with him in 2004.

Someone during the meeting answered a cell phone call. Mr. Hughes was not upset by this but simply stated after the interruption that “The conversation in front of you is more important than the one calling in”. That might be slightly off but it was at least close to that.

While there are exceptions, it is advice I use to this day and in meetings have credited Mr. Hughes for my etiquette.