Today I went to a coffee shop to finish my last blog and reflection on the Steve Jobs Biography book written by Walter Isaacson. Almost an hour had passed since the regional black out in the city in this area has started and almost everyone has left the coffee shop. The temperature was getting warmer and I was sitting in the corner typing in my ideas while the employees were either resting or waiting for the 2-hour blackout ends. The country due to its weak government managerial skills despite being among the rich countries in the world cannot provide sufficient amount of electricity and hence has to make electricity cut once or twice a day (in some cities even trice) to preserve energy.
As almost all the costumers left one of the employees approached me asking if I needed anything, in which I replied with smile, “no, thank you”.
Few minutes later she came and cleaned all the tables a started to fill the napkin holders adjusting the tables and chair. What amazed me was her delicate work on doing such. Though it wasn’t much important but she adjusted the chairs and table uniformly and more than that she adjusted the napkin holders to create one single straight line with the napkin holders of adjacent tables.
That work close to perfection amazed me much and I became so curious why she does that. Then I told myself even if she is told to do so, she is doing a fantastic job executing it. Such behavior reminded me of the book The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn and some of my employees.
After losing of one of my employees some years ago over not accepting the raise she asked for, I have realized some employees deserve raise in their job. Back then I was so young and didn’t want to increase expenses by increasing employee salaries at all. But now I am willing to pay enough to keep the good employees satisfied and happy. After all money can be a good motivator for employees.
I wanted to go the manager and tell him that this employee of his worth keeping because she does her job almost perfect.
What if we too become like one and focus on the quality of what we offer to the mass. Doesn’t that make people feel good and in return they live happily. Our effort to do more that what we were told even for a little bit more makes the staff and material people recognize and see the value in us. Therefore, doing more will eventually help in earning more.
That also counts not only in our workplace and profession, but also in our relationships and dealing with people.
“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.” – Nelson Mandela