I’m guessing you’ve heard or read the saying “People don’t care how much you know when they know how much you care.” We all know those words have merit, but with busy lives it doesn’t mean we have time to put that philosophy into practice.
Well, I’ve a friend who actually uses this philosophy every time she goes anywhere. For example, when she goes to the grocery, she specifically targets the check-out folks and makes jokes, smiles and asks how they’re doing. And when she told me how someone recently smiled and told her she had made his day, it reminded me of what I read recently on tips to make your flying experience better. The article said flight attendants wanted to be seen as humans and not robots who were there to deliver drinks and information. Say hello when you get on the plane and ask them how they’re doing, not if your seat is a window or aisle or how soon will the complimentary beverages be served. These are real people who would prefer not to feel invisible.
In my latest book Shortcuts to Success, I suggest we take time to validate and publicly recognize people’s talents and just acknowledge their presence. It’s never how smart people are, it’s how they are smart. Everyone brings something different to the table.
Taking the time to reach someone with your conversation has the ability to change any environment and build morale and confidence faster than just about anything. By taking a few seconds to interact we actually can make an enormous difference.
