From WeAreTheCity’s Future Leader’s Blog
One of us had two very different customer experiences this last week.
The first one was in a café where I had gone for a much needed morning coffee before my first work meeting of the day. Walking up to the counter I was met by someone who looked at me, smiled, asked relevant questions and made me feel truly welcome. And what’s more – she did it in a completely natural and genuine way – no false airs, no pretence – just completely engaging in her job and doing it brilliantly. I could have hired her then and there! (if she had been looking for a job)
The second experience was very different. I was in a hardware store in town and walked up to the till to pay. I was met by a woman who didn’t look at me, continued talking to her colleagues (just hanging around behind the counter) about what they were going to do in their spare time, didn’t offer me a bag for my goods and didn’t thank me (she did take my money though J). I’m not rushing to get back there.
To be successful, the first thing to do is fall in love with your work.
Sister Mary Lauretta
The reason we’re sharing these stories with you is this: Sure, we’ve all have good and bad days and varying outcomes as a result, but these stories are about so much more than just ‘good or bad days’.
We can approach our work (and everything else we do) in one of two ways – we can take pride in what we do, or not. Whichever choice we make, it reflects back on ourselves – and it ripples out from us onto others.
So do take pride in what you do. Never, ever waste your time by not taking pride.
Pride feels great, looks great and does great!
About the authors
Mandy Flint & Elisabet Vinberg Hearn, award-winning authors of ”The Team Formula”.
Their latest book, multi-award-winning ”Leading Teams – 10 Challenges: 10 Solutions”, published by Financial Times International is a practical tool for building winning teams. You can download a free chapter of the book at www.leadingteamsbook.com
Praise for ”Leading Teams”: “I bought in from the first paragraph; ten chapters of real and practical examples on how to lead a team with characters skilfully portraying the tensions faced by leaders every day. A leadership masterclass.”
Lynn Hill, Deputy CEO, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Turst, Hertfordshire