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The organisation and administration of research and teaching in universities depends upon daily consultation, cooperation and negotiation, shared management and input of specialist and organisational skills and expertise. Universities conduct staff surveys which reveal significant worries about certain person–management aspects of everyday university business activity and indicate areas where we can significantly improve management–staff interaction and communication. These data are supported by basic and well-rehearsed management thinking and expert advice from both the higher education and general management fields and by personal experience. Aspects of leadership responsibility and behaviour and the interaction between manager and managed are described in terms of management ‘manners’, focussing on the requirements for clear and open communication, fairness, transparency, management ‘modesty’ and emotional competence. The positive effect good manners have on staff are outlined and further areas for development/review suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]