You are probably judging the title thinking: here's another reminder on what "one" can do to improve the biz environment. Not totally this time...check this out.
Last week Sara Grace and I were at a favorite restaurant. By now we have gotten to know most of the staff and wow are they an awesome team. The service and emotional intelligence is top notch from each and every person. A "must have" if you are in the service biz. On this trip we had a new waiter - Alex. Not sure why we had not met him before, but regardless it was a pleasure as he treated us like royalty. At one point Alex noticed we were waving at someone across the restaurant. He noticed we were waiving at his co-worker "G"...well Alex waves "G" on over and says to us, "I brought that guy here shortly after I came!" Stay with me here...."G" rolls up and gives a shoulders back, teeth showing, hand extended greeting with pleasure as if we were a joy to him. After initial greetings "G" says -- "yeah guys, Alex brought like 13 people here from where we all used to work!!"
Here is the gig: I said "wow man they must treat you all better over here." He proceeds to go wild on telling us how much better they treat him than the previous place and clearly stated "It's totally about how they treat us here -- like we ALL mean something!" "G" and his comrades knew their jobs were relevant and they felt included as part of the business. There appears to be a Leader behind this crew friends -- a darn good one at that!
We were informed that the previous restaurant they worked (been there too -- very similar menu, ATTEMPTED atmosphere etc.) treated them like crud. "She treated us like we were children and it was awful...we put up with it for about 4 years....when Alex left and came over here and told us about this place...we were gone from her place fast!"
ONE Boss treated her people One way and One Alex gets fed up One last time and leaves to check out the competition where One Boss influences another boss who causes One Alex to call 13 friends to come over to his new house and play and "we" the customer benefit oh so well. I guess this just turned out to be a message where One can impact the biz environment (positive or negative)....Ooops I just cannot seem to get away from that.
You see - associates are like child siblings. When mom and dad may happen to get very angry and go trawling through the house, the brothers and sisters huddle up like puppies and get in a room together, hoping to make it through the tense time. When Slammin Sue Supervisor stays in a funk and treats her people like raw hot garbage -- the associates get in a room together and try and make it through - only they have the option of fleeing the scene for a better place to be.
Are your people huddling up to cheer you on as a leader or are they huddling up to plan their escape? If planning an escape -- It's gonna hurt when Alex leaves and brings the other 13 with him in a matter of days.
I am not sure how this group of Alex's and "G's" did under the tyrannical ruler, but I know they are highly capable and excellent in an environment that enhances their existence! I am ready for another date with my Bride!
How do your people feel everyday? Irrelevant or Relevant, Anonymous (another number) or included?
Application: Spend some time thinking on who might be feeling irrelevant or anonymous and spend the next two months taking a sincere interest in those people. The ripple effect will produce positive results in and from your department.
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