“Treat the janitor the same way you treat the CEO”

“Treat the janitor the same level of respect as the CEO” is a saying that has been printed on GIFs. The saying does not appear to have a specific origin. “He would treat the janitor the same as he would the president” was cited in 1988. “You need to treat the janitor the same as you treat the president” was cited in 2007.
 
“He would treat the janitor the same as a CEO” was cited in 2008. “Treat the janitor with the same way you would treat the CEO” was posted on Twitter on June 7, 2010.
 
       
2 September 1988, Washington (DC) Post, “Joe Krivak: Straight Up, No Twist: Maryland Football in Hands of Down-to-Earth, No-Glitz Coach” by Dave Sell, pg. B1, col. 4:
Jean Krivak, who has been married to the coach for nearly 30 years, said: “I think if I had to describe him in one word, I would say he’s fair. He treats everyone alike. He would treat the janitor the same as he would the president.”
 
Google Books
The New Woman Rules:
More than 50 trailblazers Share Their Wisdom
By Fawn Germer
Chicago, IL: Network Books
2007
Pg. 57:
“He taught me to manage the staff. It was all about treating everyone with respect. You need to treat the janitor the same as you treat the president.”
 
Google Books
Stop Sabotaging Your Career:
8 Proven Strategies to Succeed—in Spite of Yourself
By Lois P. Frankel
New York, NY: Hachette Book Group
2007
Pg. ?:
People with long-term career success are the ones who treat the janitor with the same dignity and respect they offer to the company president. These are the folks who really see the service people around them and believe that there are no worthless jobs or people.
 
8 October 2008, Cincinnati (OH) Enquirer, “Robert F. Holscher was CEO of airport: Lives remembered” by Rebecca Goodman, pg. B4:
“Even though the job that he had was so big, he would walk through the airport and he would treat the janitor the same as a CEO,” his daughter said. “He came from humble beginnings and he never forgot that. He treated everyone the same - like a normal person - and he was good to his employees.”
   
Twitter
Stephanie Hansen
‏@sahans
Treat the janitor the same way you would treat the President. #quote from @Krista_parry #bwe09
3:03 PM - 17 Oct 2009
 
Twitter
Brandon Croke
‏@bcroke
You should treat the janitor and the CEO the same… But you don’t.
3:54 PM - 17 Mar 2010
 
Twitter
Nat
‏@natrobinson12
Treat the janitor with the same way you would treat the CEO.
12:28 PM - 7 Jun 2010
 
Twitter
Ruben Quintero, MBA
‏@RubenQuintero
Treat the janitor the same way you treat the VP.
10:18 AM - 29 Dec 2010
 
Google Books
A Tradition of Purple:
An Inside Look at the Minnesota Vikings
By Jim Bruton
New York, NY: Sports Publishing
2011
Pg. 205:
Coach Childress is all business, powerfully committed to having quality personnel represent the Minnesota Vikings football team. “I want guys in this building who treat the janitor or the people in payroll the same as they treat me,” says Childress.
 
Twitter
Letitia Clark, MPP
‏@LetitiaCClark
Want to be a rock star at work? Treat the Janitor the same way you treat the CEO!
3:07 PM - 11 Mar 2011
New Orleans, LA
 
Google Books
Bygone Binghamton:
Remembering People and Places of the Past (Volume Two)
By Jack Edward Shay
Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse
2012
Pg. 339:
“He would treat the janitor at the Binghamton Club the same as the CEO. That was why he had his popularity in the city.”
 
3 June 2012, The Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro, TN), “MTSU alumnus connects grads with employers via new website” by Samantha Williams:
Q: What is one piece of advice you were given in your career that has stuck with you? Who gave you this advice?
Clem: My father, who is also a successful business owner, told me to treat the janitor the same way you would treat a CEO. I have always tried to adhere to this advice, not only in my business life but also in my personal life.
 
Twitter
Mr. Neon Black
‏@Im_King_Karter
Quote of the Day: “Treat The Janitor The Same Way You Treat The Judge”... you never know when the Janitor will have jury duty 😉
1:10 PM - 11 Feb 2013
 
Twitter
Kumi
‏@CafeKumi
@yaldahxo Agreed. Treat the janitor the same way you treat the CEO. Their both in the same game making money to survive.
6:05 PM - 25 Sep 2016
 
Twitter
Ryan Hale
‏@RyanMHale_8
Treat the Janitor the same as the CEO.. Incase of Undercover Boss but also because you can just be a nice person.. But also @ABCNetwork
5:52 PM - 26 Sep 2016