Elevate Others. Then Request.

This can change people’s behavior towards you, dramatically!

I begin my conversation by thanking them for “what they do,” and then how well they have “done it.”

In between, I place my request or suggestion. 

But ten years back, things were different:

– At the clinic, the doctor’s assistant was grumpy, as always. 

– At the reception of a swanky office, sat a person indifferent to their guests. 

– At the desk of the students’ coordinator, clung a person who was always rude.

My reaction would be, “They are not doing their jobs sincerely.” 

Back then, when I’d experience people speaking only monosyllables, giving snappy answers, unpleasant responses, in a job position in which they need to be gentle, helpful, and of service, it would startle me.

Over many years, I understood that these are only symptoms of a deeper problem. 

I started to observe the behaviors of those around me. 

And, I identified three causes.

🔴 We don’t thank or acknowledge others enough, for their services.
🔴 Unintentionally though, but subconsciously, we approach others with “entitlement” to receiving help.
🔴 We lack empathy and its relevance in the “business” side of life.

It was an eye-opener.

Ever since, thanking, acknowledging, and empathizing with others are the “conscious” actions I try to take, in most interactions. And those who say these are unnecessary formalities, then my answer to them is:

It goes both ways. 

Either we keep it a cut and dry transaction or make it a warm and nurturing human interaction.

These are some lessons on leadership and humility I learned.