I had something very interesting happen today! It’s one of those ..”WOW” moments that I didn’t realize until later but the experience surely got me thinking!
One of my great long time customers who is a top-level musician in the music business called me to say “THANKS” for some proposal / quote work I did for him late last week. Actually it was on Friday afternoon and I knew he was going out of town for several days to play some dates with one of country musics big dudes! But before he left, the subject of healthcare insurance for him and his wife was bothering him. He didn’t know what to do or how to do it and after calls to research it himself, I could tell he couldn’t find the direction he needed to make an educated decision in this healthcare insurance maze we all find ourselves in right now! So I went to work, made several calls and got him what he needed. Then quickly emailed him complete details so he could make a good decision.Today, he called to say THANKS for all of that work. That was the sole purpose of his call.
I looked back at the entire event later in the day and determined how I naturally went to work quickly and worked hard to get this client what he needed. The real reason (besides this being what I do for my life career) is because I KNEW he would appreciate it. Did I expect or need his followup thank you call? No! I just knew he would appreciate the work and that is a driving force behind why I have done this work for nearly 36 years.
Then, I started questioning MY actions when I need service or help! How do I handle others when I need assistance or direction in something?? Do I treat them like I EXPECT their service and because I have purchased their product or service, they NEED to help me and do it efficiently and promptly on my terms? Or do I treat them like I was treated and want to be treated when I work with my clients with this kindness that was afforded to me? That was the WOW moment for me! I worked hard for this gentleman without knowing the real reason why was because he has always treated me with utmost kindness, respect and appreciation. That was the background motivation for my immediate response to his needs. I didn’t realize it until later!
Maybe we all have a lesson to learn from this. It’s certainly no new idea. It dates back to Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” We know it better as “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” (Luke 6:31 – NASB)
I will be working harder in the days ahead to treat others with the kindness and appreciation that was given to me in my WOW moment! Maybe you would like to join me!?
