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About The Book

'Lea and Jeremy’s stories from the White House are not only fascinating, but reveal lessons about the ways we treat one another that can be applied universally. No matter your beliefs, background or what you do for a living, there are takeaways from this book that will make each of us better human beings. By focusing on the things that unite us – love, kindness and empathy – Treating People Well has the power to change the world for the better.' Karlie Kloss, supermodel and founder of Kode With Klossy

'Treating People Well is an essential guide for getting along and getting ahead in our world today. Authors Lea Berman and Jeremy Bernard show us how people from opposite ends of the political spectrum and all walks of life can build relationships, earn trust, and succeed by treating others with civility and respect. Full of life lessons that are both timely and timeless, this is a book that will be devoured, bookmarked, and read over and over again.' John McCain, United States Senator

'I loved this book! Yes, as promised in the title, it shows you the value of treating people well and gives expert advice, but that is only part of it. The two authors – both former White House Social Secretaries in different administrations – provide fascinating glimpses of what’s behind the scenes at the White House. You’ll learn a lot while being vastly entertained.' Joan Ganz Cooney, founder, Sesame Street


Written by two former White House Social Secretaries, Treating People Well is a guide to developing social skills in order to build more successful relationships.

Using their unique access, the authors describe the behaviours that shape how an individual is perceived. While manners and etiquette may not seem relevant in today’s technology-burdened, politically contentious world, modern life has caused many people to feel disconnected and uncomfortable in their interactions with others.

This essential book gives readers the tools to live each day more positively, forging connections based on trust and mutual respect. The authors offer advice such as how to develop confidence, be consistent, use humour, listen carefully, radiate calm, resolve conflicts quickly, be honest but never cruel, cultivate loyalty, own your mistakes, work with difficult people, and attend to details, whether in the office or at home, dealing with friends or colleagues, as a student, a new employee or an experienced executive. Working in the most charged workplace possible, Lea and Jeremy honed these skills over years, striving to apply kindness, empathy and genuine caring to achieve success.

About The Authors

Photograph © Moshe Zusman

Lea Berman served as White House Social Secretary from 2004–2007, was Chief of Staff to Second Lady Lynne Cheney from 2002–2003 and, previously, Social Secretary to the Vice President. She is the creator of the blog America’s Table, and lives in Washington, DC.

Photograph by Claire Brueckner

Jeremy Bernard served as White House Social Secretary and Special Assistant to the President from 2011–2015. Previously, he was Senior Advisor to the United States Ambassador in France. Prior to that he was the White House Liaison to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Jeremy is the Founder and President of JMB Global, LTD, a strategic consulting company, and lives in Los Angeles.  

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (February 8, 2018)
  • Length: 256 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781471168192

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Raves and Reviews

'Lea and Jeremy’s stories from the White House are not only fascinating, but reveal lessons about the ways we treat one another that can be applied universally. No matter your beliefs, background or what you do for a living, there are takeaways from this book that will make each of us better human beings. By focusing on the things that unite us – love, kindness and empathy – Treating People Well has the power to change the world for the better.'

– Karlie Kloss, supermodel and founder of Kode With Klossy

'Treating People Well is a handbook for life. I can’t remember the last time I read a book with so much wisdom, told through such compelling and personal stories, with such useful advice on what all of us can do to improve our relationships with our fellow human beings.'

– Angela Duckworth, author of Grit

'This warm and gracious little book treats READERS well, entertaining them with stories of close calls, ruffled feathers, and comic misunderstandings as the White House each day attempts to carry through its social life.'

– Peggy Noonan, columnist, The Wall Street Journal

'I loved this book! Yes, as promised in the title, it shows you the value of treating people well and gives expert advice, but that is only part of it. The two authors – both former White House Social Secretaries in different administrations – provide fascinating glimpses of what’s behind the scenes at the White House. You’ll learn a lot while being vastly entertained.'

– Joan Ganz Cooney, founder, Sesame Street

'Every chapter is built around practical pointers – from ways to ease into a conversation (and, better yet, get out), to the one time never to send a work email.... We find that confidence is a learnable skill – and get real-world advice on Instagram etiquette, and becoming known as a problem-solver. Treating People Well is a great service to people who think they’ve made it but actually have a ways to go, and is a huge gift to young people on their way up.'

– Mike Allen, co-founder and executive editor of Axios

'Treating People Well is an essential guide for getting along and getting ahead in our world today. Authors Lea Berman and Jeremy Bernard show us how people from opposite ends of the political spectrum and all walks of life can build relationships, earn trust, and succeed by treating others with civility and respect. Full of life lessons that are both timely and timeless, this is a book that will be devoured, bookmarked, and read over and over again.'

– John McCain, United States Senator

‘Charming… Funny and moving… The grace-under-pressure lessons are legion… The point of the book is that graciousness is not just good for its own sake; it is useful in getting things accomplished, in politics as in life’

– New York Times

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