I love short notes. The best ever came from my public relations friend, Brad Bawmann, President of The Bawmann Group. I sent him a newsletter, and he sent back a one-word reply: "Superb!"

Brooke is one of the top executive recruiters in the U.S., and I like to court her friendship. She sent me a journal article when I didn't have time to write a lengthy reply. I fired off this six-word e-mail which acknowledged her gift and thanked her.