From the time I was very young I have vivid memories of being out shopping or in a restaurant with my Mom and having her ask to speak with a manager. For most people I think this means that they were about to lodge a big complaint. For my mother this meant that someone went so far out of their way to be kind that they deserved being commended. I have always enjoyed the awkward moment when a manager walks over thinking they are about to get bombarded when my mother expresses how wonderful our server, cashier or other employee was. She always points out that people are quick to complain but very slow to commend. I have always loved that.
Today I took my severely ADHD/SPD child shoe shopping. We went to Stride Rite and had the same wonderful woman who has been fitting my children's shoes since they were born. She spent the better part of an hour finding shoes that Grace could wear without them pinching, twisting, rubbing, etc. She was wonderful. We thanked her up and down but that didn't seem like enough. So I came home and sent an e-mail. Who knows if anything will ever come of it but why are we so slow to broadcast when someone is doing a great job. (I once did this for a hair stylist who took me at the last second and was great... the next time I walked in she hugged me and thanked me for helping her get a big raise!!)
Imagine a day when people are as likely to give praise as they were to give criticism. Imagine if you were at your job and your manager calls you into their office. Instead of getting chewed out they tell you that someone sent them a letter or called to say how kind you were! Wouldn't that feel great??
I think we could all stand to take a page from my Mom's book. Make sure to tell someone when they are being exceptional!
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6 comments:
I love this idea, what you said is so true! When we went on a big trip to Maine from WI in summer 2011 I made my children "restuarant review books" because I knew we'd be eating out a lot and I wanted to keep them busy. The books had them rate the restaurant in different areas, one of them being the service. I encouraged the kids to leave the server a note if they were pleased with the service. Many times they did and besides making the kids feel great, I hope it made the server feel good too! Thanks for the reminder, we should use these books when eating out locally too, not just on vaca!
Love this! I'm a huge proponent of commending someone on exceptional customer service. It seems like it's such a rarity anymore than it needs to be noted. I know that I always love when someone tells ME I'm doing a good job; plus it propels me to continue to do so.
Erin - I am LOVING that idea. My kiddos are learning to write so this would be such a fun idea for them. Thanks for that idea!!
Kristen - I wanted to share the labels I made to stick on the books, but then I remembered someone stole my jump drive from my purse here at work, and I don't have them any more. I will look at one of their books sometime soon type it up in an email, maybe snap a pic. They came out kind of cute!
ERIN - That would be awesome. And man does that stink about your drive. Some kind of world we live in...
Kristen - I know, I was so mad. I am a graphic designer and I had EVERYTHING on there because I do a lot at home and at work. So crappy. I work at a college too, so some student is probably using all of my stuff :(
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