GREATNESS

TODAY I shook the hand that shook the hand of someone historically significant in Argentina.   

I've worked with this wonderful woman for years, but never ate lunch with her, or got the chance to share our lives much. 
TODAY,  when asked by this dear lady if I am doing o.k. ......
I busted out SINGING  the first line of the tune:
"DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA!"....

Well ...I was floored that something this simple could bring up a topic of who's famous hand she shook.....
Ask her....
she's in the  housewares department or hard home as its called.  

She is lovely and hard working and honest, and like everyone else on the planet...has a 30 second story that would amaze you.

No one is expendable in the history of this planet.

And this simple comment reminded me that  people go to a job,
and wear a uniform of sorts,
and chug down their list of  requirements,  coupons and such
while someone's monitoring, devaluing and critiquing  their performance...

...all the while requiring them to become less interactive and  less human.

Glad for a chance to hear this 20  to 30 second event... a seriously cool event  in this woman's life.

Its these life experiences that make for a better sales associate interaction with customers...but wait...that was when  we used to do clientele and customer service at its best.  

Developing a RELATIONSHIP with the customer was the PRIORITY that brought REAL customers back to shop again & again.

You and I understand
that having a brief conversation
with the women who offers up to you that THIS...a trip to OUR store...
was her FIRST outing
AFTER 6 months of CHEMO.
Is NOT being " chatty".

Really. ....

Well ...with 10 people in line behind her and 3 of us ringing and 2 managers drinking coffee somewhere....you can BET I am going to
effectively take care of her transaction.REMOVE ALL of  her SENSORS......serve her with a smile...
AND INTERACT with her like the brave,  beautiful, human being that she is.  

Tell me not to get so " Chatty"
Tell me to move through the line quicker.
Tell me to focus on getting
someone to open a credit card.

Y'all can try doing a 2 hour shift alone, or a 15 person line by yourself, with the customers laughing and pleasant while waiting.... tell me then, that your associates don't have "skills" that most of You never even bother to see.

Take a class
from your dock guys
and tracks ladies
and door greeters who are like the life blood of the store circulating throughout the departments.

They see and know, and are part of
how much is handled all day long ...often without any MOD assistance by your ordinary associate...

There is a family
a team of people
who have each others backs
AND each others hearts
and leap right in to help each other.
All day,
Every day.

I like to call them...
HEROS.
Cleverly Disguised as Store Associates
and a couple of managers as well....
Who Save the ASS of your store
More times per day
Than you will ever take the time
To care to know about.

ROCK THE SPACE YOU'RE IN HEROES.
You always do!

Love and Peace of Mind
Delight and CLARITY of Purpose,
To you and those you love,
JOY