I was cleaning up my computer files a while back when I stumbled across an email I received from a good friend of mine. You see, years ago we didn’t have Facebook, so we emailed funny stories to each other during the course of our work day. Here’s what I found in the file…
(The author is unknown)
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:
“What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.”
I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
Whenever I do a speaking gig, virtual or live, I always make it a point to thank everyone by name, and I mean everyone. This is why I still remember the name of the ladies’ room attendant at the old Capital City Club. Her name was Ophelia.
I remember one meeting in particular. I was teaching a two-day workshop. When the last person left at the end of the second day, I went in search of the staff who had worked with us over the course of the meeting. They served lunch, set the meeting room up and the like. I found them in another ballroom setting up some tables.
As I walked over to them, I politely thanked them for everything they had done for us.
Strangely, they all stopped what they were doing and stared at me! A few seconds of silence went by and one of them says “wow”.
Wow?
So I smile again, extend my arm out to shake their hands, and thank them a second time.
This time one of them found their voice.
“Our apologies Mrs. Giovanni, but you are the first guest since I have been working here to ever come back and thank us, and I’ve been here for over ten years.”
My heart broke in two pieces as he spoke and tears came to my eyes. I then walked over to him and gave him a hug.
What’s wrong with people? Saying thank you is such a simple thing and it means so much to people. There is a reason why the words “thank you” are among the first words parents teach their children to use. On the flip side, not saying thank you and not appreciating people is one of the main reasons they quit their jobs, leave relationships, and end friendships.
People want to be appreciated. They want to feel that what they do matters!
So here’s my message … please say thank you to the unseen hero’s in your life. The people who are behind the scenes getting it done. They are the hero’s in life and deserve all our thanks and praise. For example, my friend Katie gives out $5 Starbucks cards to the flight attendants whenever she flies.
As I’ve said many times, people might not remember what you’ve said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.
