High Octane YES!
Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2010
by Sharon Eden
Sharon Eden
When's the last time you gave high octane YES!?
"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well."
I had a very early early start in London a few weeks ago for a business meeting. Getting into town via the early, packed and sardine like experience of travelling on the rush-hour' tube trains is not one I relish. So, I decided to stay in town overnight and treat myself to dinner. If you've never taken yourself out on a date, or regarded eating out alone as a date... well, give yourself an enjoyable surprise.
But, even more of a surprise lay in wait for me...
My order was taken by an efficient young blonde woman whose large smile and warm greeting was 100% genuine. You can tell by the eyes! Not at all the usual hair flicking, Miss Piggy like rendition of 'Have a nice day' attitude which I was expecting. And which rankles for its insincerity.
The restaurant at dinner time was very busy and filled with tourists. Yet, as I watched, she showed the same engaging and courteous approach to everyone, whatever their nationality and whatever their manner. Nothing was too much trouble for her... even a complaint which was clearly the fault of the customer in ordering. From the way she handled it, you got the distinct impression it was a much regretted oversight by the restaurant which they were very eager to rectify.
She wasn't fazed by anything, slipping between small spaces with plates balanced several to one hand and up her arm. All delivered with the professional aplomb of a magician whipping her cloak away from the covered table to reveal... ah, hoopla!
I watched her, warmed by her professionalism and inspired by the high octane YES! she gave to being a waitress. Seemed to me she'd decided, if she was going to be a waitress, she'd be the best damn waitress she could be.
And she was! I told her how superb I thought her to be as I left, a fully satisfied and feeling very cosseted customer. Her eyes shone and, for the briefest of moments, we merged in our understanding of what 'service' really means... for others as well as your self.
When's the last time you gave high octane YES! to your job?
When's the last time you gave high octane YES! to service through your job?
And...
When's the last time YOUR eyes shone while at work?
If you can't remember... think on!
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)You've given me high octane inspiration! I love what Martin Luther King Jr. said and your story about your waitress is fabulous. Thanks.
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