Comporting oneself with dignity is like gun safety. A small amount of consistent effort makes it unconscious. The benefits are obvious.
That is a stunningly perfect statement!
When I was a senior in ROTC, the year leading up to our commissioning, one of our cadre was an old grizzled Master Sergeant who wore the First Cavalry combat patch from Viet Nam. Although he was under no regulatory or even customary obligation to do so, he would call all fourth year cadets, "Sir," or "Ma'am". I asked him why he did so, and he explained, that in less than a year, we would be commissioned officers, and expected to live our lives to a higher standard.
One thing he told me that still sticks with me going on 30 years later is, "Sir, as a leader, you live in a fishbowl." When you are in a position of authority, EVERYTHING you do will be examined by those in your charge. Your technical competence, ethics, the way you interact with those above you, your humanity, your sense of humor, the way you deal with stress and fear, your conduct off duty as well as on duty, etc. EVERYTHING will be under a microscope.
I have not lived a perfect life by any stretch, but that notion that I live in a fishbowl has certainly helped me steer clear of a lot of trouble I would have otherwise found myself in.