With all of the changes going on in the airline industry over the last few years, it has definitely been more the exception rather than the rule when getting great service while traveling. However, I had a pleasant surprise a few months ago while traveling back home on United Airlines. Once everyone had boarded the…
I remember advice someone gave me when my kids were little, “Pay attention to your behaviors—because your kids are always watching you.” That has turned out to be very good advice over the years, and I find the same is true for leaders in organizations. Managers can only get away with so much before their…
As we enter into the holiday season, I always remind myself to try and be on my best behavior and keep my patience while out doing my holiday shopping. So when I read the story about the New York City police officer who used his own money to buy a homeless man a pair of…
I love being pleasantly surprised, especially when it comes to customer service experiences. I had one of those experiences a couple of weeks ago when I was visiting my son at college. Let me share what happened and what I learned about the impact of empowerment as a result. My son goes to school in…
When I was 16 years old, my first job was serving ice cream at a Baskin-Robbins store. Not only did I love ice cream, but I was very social and felt that this job suited me very well since I loved talking to people. Unfortunately, I think I’m still trying to lose those extra ice…
When my husband came home and informed me that his company party was at the zoo this year, I had mixed feelings. In one way, it would be nice to visit the world-famous San Diego zoo (and not have to pay for it!) but it’s been so hot recently that the idea of walking around…
Every now and then you hear a story that immediately brings a tear to your eye and renews your faith in mankind. This is one of those stories. I was in the airport in Calgary, Alberta, waiting for a flight home and started talking to an elderly man who was waiting for the same flight. …
One of my favorite books of all time is the children’s book, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. In short, the book is about the relationship between a boy and a tree. Throughout the boy’s life, the tree offers whatever it can to make the boy happy—to swing from its branches, to pick and eat,…
My two boys played three different sports during high school and, as it happens, there were times when they needed to visit the athletic trainer because of an injury. If you want a lesson in how to treat your internal customers, come to my boy’s high school and see a pro in action! The Head…
If you are like me, every time I am in an airport and see a military man or woman in uniform, I am compelled to go up to them and thank them for their service. And many times, I actually do thank them. In my mind, that is the ultimate service one can give—dedicating one’s…