So I made someone’s day yesterday. I rendered services with a business and they did a good job and the gal (actually, closer to my grandmother’s age, so do I actually use the term gal?) did a very good job. And I said so. That is the right thing. She mentioned it made her day. Now, one might surmise one of a couple of observations. One, holy cow, really, that made your day? Really? Two, it really didn’t, she just said that either in jest or to provide me with a little customer service kinda thing. Am I that cynical? Yes and again that is potentially not to be the provocation or true response. Or thirdly, she legitimately felt good about a comment made by me, by someone, by anyone for that matter. You noticed? Yes, I did.
Is that a big deal? It is. People will always want to feel as though what they do matters or in some way, ready for it… has an impact in someone’s day in, shall we say, a positive way. That infers that if I have a good day because of you, I wish to say thank you and in turn you may very well feel good about your job or what you do for a living. Can you imagine? Someone other than your boss saying you matter in exchange for a paycheck. Wow. Can that really happen? Can that really matter?
I was recently at a sales rally of a very successful, very hip business. I saw the familiar faces and the new ones. Regardless of tenure, regardless of who was new or not, the message was sent. The quintessential message of “you are the biggest asset” of the organization and you matter and you make a difference and you are the things by which we measure success. Does that register? I wonder. I know the owner and the C-folks. They truly believe the front line matters and have infinite worth. I mean I really like these guys and gals. They do really care. But what if I am 25-something and a manager of store ‘x’ and think, “really?” Are you with me?
If you are an owner, I don’t think you are or do? I know you mean well and do want your employees to be healthy, happy and successful. You want the best to happen (for you and them). If you are a regional manager or some type of supervisor, you think the same way; just one part removed. No one wants their team to, umm,…well, suck. The “aha” is the fact people get a paycheck and some think that is all that matters. You got paid, so that works, right? People want more than that. They want a thank you. They want a pat on the back. They want to feel appreciated, even if it is just for 30 seconds.
Is that what people really want to hear or feel or experience? I say yes. People want to feel like they did something “right”. I looked in her eyes yesterday and she was genuine about her thanks. She meant it. She would say it the same way again. Therefore my moment is not her reaction. I have to think beyond her eyes and what caused her to say “You made my day.” It is what caused the reaction. My simple little moment. My thanks. When was the last time you shared a little moment? Maybe it didn’t have to do with an action or behavior, it just was something little you felt compelled to “tag”. Maybe she wanted to hear something different that day, as opposed to other days. You get a check on Friday, so if it’s Monday, all you want is “thanks?” Do I have it right or should I just be in the habit of saying thank you more often? Should I just be in the habit of giving someone a positive nugget to chew on? Maybe I should just say “I appreciate you” more often or at a minimum think it. Skippy, Todd and Mary work for us and they have other stuff. Trust me. They need to know what they do matters even just a little once in a while.
Thanks guys. You do matter. Bad day? You still matter. Trust me. You still matter.
Cheers