If there's one thing I've learned and would like to pass along (at least right now), it's this:

[MiddleFingerMom]

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There's a really basic life lesson that I've learned (and have to
keep reminding myself of sometimes) -- most people are nice
and treating them nicely, in addition to being its OWN reward,
can make YOUR life so much nicer/more fruitful/easier.
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This is the businesslike email I got from a scheduler at my hospital
for very necessary and VERY eagerly anticipated physical therapy
to relieve and banish some fairly severe pain I'm getting from my
pectoral surgery. It's crisp and businesslike and, although cold
and distant -- there's really nothing at all WRONG with it.
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Good Morning,
Reguarding the request from Dr. xxx xxx for you to get physical
therapy, please call UMC Physical Therapy @ 555-5555. They have
the order and are able to schedule your sessions fairly quickly.
Thank you for choosing us to take care of you.
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I debated not even acknowledging receipt -- it wasn't "necessary"
nor, I would think... expected.
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I decided to express my appreciation for her efforts on my behalf --
it took less than a minute and minimal effort on my part.
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Hi, Kimberly!
I've already got an appt with phys ther Monday at 10 AM.
Thank you for your help and this email.
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Nothing overboard. Nothing gushing. Merely an acknowledgment and
a note of appreciation.
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Here's what came back -- note the change in tone and the personal
touch that's been added.
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Awesome!! If there is anything I can do for you, please don't
hesitate to ask. You are gonna love the attention from the most
attentive staff, they are all great over there! I know you will
feel better.
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Just by my being "nice" with minimal effort, I have probably made a
never-to-be-seen friend who will/would probably go the extra mile
for me in the future... if needed.
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AND it seems like I made her day a little.
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And HER response helped to make MY day (obviously, more than a little).
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You reap what you sow, folks.
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Not always true -- but true often enough to try to incorporate it
into your life as often as possible.
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I hope (and believe) that this can help make your life better -- and
it will probably take little physical/emotional/mental effort on YOUR part.
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[IcyPeas]

1. payin' it forward

it's those little things that can make your day.

[pacalo]

2. I totally agree, MFM.

Nice post!

:hi:

[NYC_SKP]

3. Awesome, so true, and words to live by.

Thanks MFM, and I hope your treatment is going well.

What you describe, how far a little bit of kindness can go, are words worth living by and, indeed, worth teaching.

It reminds me of the "significance of the tea ceremony"- to be mindful that every moment, every human encounter, is a unique opportunity to savor, to make a positive impact, and can never re-occur, so treat it with respect and be "present".

It also reminds me of the motivational program called "Fish Philosphy" that has four key concepts including "Make their day" and "Be there".

So again, thank you, and I wish more people were as thoughtful as you are but maybe that's something to work for!

:hug:

[MiddleFingerMom]

5. Thank you -- it didn't take much kindness at all -- in fact, it struck me...

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... and reminded me that, all too often... people feel un- or under-appreciated
in general -- and the SLIGHTEST expression of recognition +/or appreciation can
have an incredible effect on the recipient's attitude and their own recognition
of their value and self-worth.
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So simple. At times, so profound an impact. On BOTH people involved.
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Unless, of course... you run into Greg Brown.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDyKa4EcsLg
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[Chan790]

4. Know what's funny...

this is also the imparted-to-me "secret to business success" from the self-made billionaire CEO of the large coffee company I used to work for. 30 years in business...and he knows the name of, general life-happenings and is friendly to the slightly-above-minimum-wage college student that makes his coffee in the morning. I was one of 1,200 employees with a special certification marking me as an exceptional barista, met the man twice, live clear on the opposite side of the country from him and left his employ almost 5 years ago...and he still knows my name and asks my former district manager what I'm up to.

[MorningGlow]

6. Absolutely

Nice post.

I learned this lesson from a Most Amazing Boss a few jobs ago--when I worked at a TV news station. First thing he taught me was to ALWAYS answer every e-mail that came in from a viewer, politely and in as informed a manner as possible. Wow, did I earn the station some Viewers For Life following that advice. And they always pointed out how impressed they were that they heard from "a real person" who was sincere and helpful and friendly. They also often noted how the other news outlets never replied to their e-mails. The lone Gannett newspaper in town and (strange to say) the PBS station were the worst offenders. And when the PBS people did reply, they were horrifically rude. :wow:

[elleng]

7. BEAUTIFUL!

[Demoiselle]

8. Picking up on your theme, MFM...

I am perpetually running errands on the busy shopping street close to my house. I've made it a point for quite a while now to try to catch people's eye as I walk past them (not so easy, often, because we can all be so preoccupied) and give them a big smile. It is almost always rewarding.....Just about everybody reciprocates. It's a shared moment of grace. I like it.

[ashling]

9. So true

Whenever there is a goof up in service or somebody messes up we (and by that I mean people in general) are quick to criticize, so why not take a second to let someone know they did a great job. Even if it was what they were supposed to do - even if it is "just" their job.

When I get courteous treatment and service or a prompt solution to my problem from a call service I always say "I just want to say - because I know they listen to these calls - that you were very helpful and I appreciate it," Even if they are not listening, it makes the worker feel good - at least I hope it does.

And a big thank you to you MFM for reminding me of this.

[TuxedoKat]

10. Yes indeed

It doesn't cost anything extra to be friendly and polite. Makes life easier and much more pleasant. Somehow I'm not surprised you wrote this -- thanks for sharing. :)

[snagglepuss]

11. I always ask to be put thru to a manager or to the manager's voicemail if

a customer service has provided good service, often reps are flabberghasted and some very good reps have told me no one has ever made that request. Recently I had a problem getting information I needed, everyone I spoke to was very nice but most simply transferred me to other depts. One woman so so kind and helpful, I asked to speak to her supervisor so I could give her a commendation even though she too wasn't able to help me.


I had no expectation that the manager could have helped me the way she did and wouldn't have given it a second thought if she merely thanked me for taking the time to compliment the employee but the manager was so delighted that I took the time to give her employee a commendation that she offered to go out of her way to hunt down the info I needed and said she'd mail me the forms I needed - which she did. I was the one who ended up flabbergasted.

[cynannmarie]

12. what a delightful post and nice anecdotes by others here

I have often been struck by the the thought of how great the impact is when one takes that small but golden extra step to deliver an expression of gratitude and appreciation. It costs so little to give it and means so much to the receiver. Such a great cost/benefit ratio, that it is too bad more frequent use is not made of it.
This past year (following a cancer diagnosis) I had large number of encounters (exams, tests, surgeries, treatments) with many medical personnel. I have Kaiser, and they promote email messaging between the providers and patients. I tried to make the most of it in various ways--one of which was to always send of quick note of thanks to anyone who provided any service to me, even if it was as minimal as a doctor putting in for a referral or ordering a test. I believe that it helped greatly to foster not just enhanced communication, but perhaps I received even better care as a result. I do know from the feedback that it was always appreciated.