Posted on October 2, 2019
Professional Courtesies and you, by Steve Wichmann, President/CEO Horizon Performance Solutions
All of us have experienced the inattentive worker at the check-out counter, the business contact who won’t return our calls, the less than friendly bank teller, the co-worker who refuses to put paper in the copier, the far-away stare of the department store employee, and the general indifference to common courtesy that surrounds us at times.
The coarseness in society can be demoralizing at least, and maddening at best. It’s enough to make us grumpy. Don’t go there – counter-act the frowning faces with a smile.
Our world can be a challenging place on the best of days – people are people, after all. The key to our cheerful success is to remain, well, cheerful. I’m not suggesting that we only see things through the proverbial rose-colored glasses, but I am promoting a resolve that works to inoculate us from the sad sacks that seem to be everywhere. Keep your cool, stay positive, and be your best self in the moment – be chill, as they say.
Here are five ways that help you stay focused on the positive and may promote good cheer in others:
1. Always practice common courtesy – it’s remarkably easy to say please, thank you, nice job, keep it up, good morning, good afternoon, can I get the door for you, and so on. Treat people how you want to be treated.
2. Smile and be affirmative – no one wants to hear how bad your morning went – and I mean no one – especially your clients or customers. As the old adage goes, if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all. Be positive – uplifting – it will make you feel better even if you fake it for the first couple of hours in a day.
3. Return calls, email, and texts in a reasonably timely manner – don’t be that person who just can’t seem to close the loop with people. If you must, send your holiday season “thank yous” in March, but in your professional life, be timely in everything. Return calls and email – people like responsiveness.
4. Be present and attentive – right now – you will get more out of life by committing yourself to the here and now, and make people feel more appreciated in the process. Pay attention, bring your best energy to what you are doing and you will be more effective as a result – it just simply works.
5. Consider your daily legacy – how you want to be remembered today – your reputation and impact are built brick-by-brick, action-by-action, day-in and day-out. Get in the habit of reflecting on your day and how it impacted people – it will make you better, more accountable, and happier over time. You just might make some other people happier too – and that would be nice.
The world is full of naysayers and grumps, the caustic and the cynical, the down-in-the-mouthers and the indifferent. Don’t go there – counter-act the frowning faces with a smile, and don’t forget to put paper in the copier. For more information on this topic or other strategy and operational productivity best practices, contact Steve Wischmann, President/CEO Horizon Performance Solutions LLC at 716-208-2616 or visit them online at www.horizonperformancesolutions.com
