Things are going way too fast these days and as a result, we miss little things and that’s really quite unacceptable.
Some examples . . .
We send an email to someone and in our attempt to keep it brief, we fail to use the recipient’s name . . . They have a name . . . Use it!
For those of you on Linkedin . . . Sending that God awful template invite. Take the extra few seconds to write a real invite.
For those of you on the receiving end of an invite . . . Take the few seconds to respond with a thank you for the invite.
Want to kick that up a notch?
Respond with a thank you and a cut and paste note listing other places you can connect.
Note: Just because the person sending you the invite didn’t take the extra few seconds to send a real invite it doesn’t excuse YOU from taking the extra few seconds to respond!
How about those thank you notes that we know we’re supposed to send but don’t?
Note: When was the last time you thanked an assistant for being helpful? How about an assistant who was very helpful during a prospecting call?
How about WOWING a client with a surprise?
Commenting on someone’s status update with genuine interest?
The final suggestion actually takes a few minutes strung together in the form of an obsession for the rest of you life . . .
Ask yourself . . .
What are the little things
The little touches
That you are missing.
Then you commit to taking action immediately on one or two or any amount of those little things that you feel you can manage.
And one more thing . . .
Stop looking for the big answer
The Big AHA
You’re passing way too many little things in that fruitless quest!
Your Turn . . . What other little things can we add to our list?
I belive what we often forget is to actually listen to people that talk to us. To take that extra minute and let them complete their sentence makes them feel appreciated.Also showing appreciation for good work. We don’t ever forget to point out mistakes, but we tend to forget to mention good performances.
These things you’ve outlined are so important Delia.
Thank you!
It only takes a couple of extra minutes to communicate in a more thoughtful manner. The extra goodwill it can buy is well worth the price.
Thanks Paul.
You get an all caps AMEN for that Marc . . . Well said!
Ahh….so you’re saying social graces still matter? Hmmmm… 🙂 I couldn’t help the note of sarcasm in my voice. I agree with you 100%. I rec’d a lovely thank you note from someone for whom I did some volunteer work. I kept the note on my wall for a long time just because it was so nice. And, you know, whenever she calls to ask for help, I’m always happy to be of assistance. Many of the members of leadership teams that we work with say that they don’t need praise or any type of special thanks so they have a difficult time understanding why their staff members want/need recognition missing a golden opportunity. The simple common courtesies can make a huge difference in someone’s life. If we stop thinking about what it means to us and think about what it means to the person on the receiving end, maybe the simple things will come more naturally and we will all reap the benefits.
” If we stop thinking about what it means to us and think about what it means to the person on the receiving end, maybe the simple things will come more naturally and we will all reap the benefits.” = Brilliant Rebecca.
Thanks for sharing that!
Treat everyone you come across with respect. No one has an easy job even if it is one that many people think is not important. The office may not run very well if the VP of Procurement was out for a week but it would shut down completely without the receptionist/office manager.
What you outlined here Don is actually a little thing that’s also a huge thing!
Well stated!
Thanks for stopping by Don!
Man I got convicted on this one! Guilty as charged. I promise to do better in the future. Really.
Thanks Darrel . . . The first step is always awareness at least that’s what this work in progress always tells himself 🙂
Love this post Paul … you “get it” and I so appreciate that about you! (A post I wrote yesterday was very similiar – great minds …;)).
Have a great day!!
Much kindness,
Elena
I will stop by your awesome site later today to get the benefit of your awesome insight Elena!
Thanks for stopping by my friend!
Paul, I can’t say I never sent out the generic LI invites. I agree they are bad, but I guess it is better to send out these than nothing at all. What I usually do is add a personal note to them.
Thanks for reminding me to use proper etiquette 🙂
I agree Miriam and in your defense you are attaching a personal note which is a thousand times better than putting zero thought into an invite.
It doesn’t sound like you are doing anything wrong as far as I’m concerned.
Thanks for stopping by!
I find a hand-written note makes all the difference in the world. It may take more than a few seconds, but I’ll bet it takes less than 5 minutes. I always keep a box of thank you notes in my drawer, so I don’t have to go out and buy one each time If your company will spring for them, even better!
That’s the secret Marc . . . have them handy!
Thanks!
Paul,
Another great post as usual from you! Another I would like to add is…we all have enough crap to complain about from weather to politics. What I think you can do as far as noticing is…”Harvest the Good” in everything you do every day. Pretty soon you stop noticing things to complain about.
For example…tell the receptionist how good she looks today!
Thanks Paul!
Larry
Wonderfully stated Larry!
Thank you!
Hi Paul,
Absolutely spot on as always!! I make a point of thanking people that have linked in to me, or have been helpful in any capacity as I believer of treating others as I would like to be treated myself – with respect.
Thank you! 🙂
In my world, our CSR’s do a lot of day-to-day quotes…if they don’t get done many of my counterparts (outside sales) will flip out…and if they do get done, do you think the CSR’s get thanked?
I try to do the opposite. If the CSR hasn’t gotten a quote done, there’s probably a good reason. I’ll ask if they need help or if they have questions. I always try to give them a timeline on a quote (customer’s expectations) so that they can prioritize.
And…when they get all of my quotes done that day… I thank them. Unfortunately, I’m usually the only one that does but who’s stuff are they going to work on do you think?
Great post, as always, Uncle Paul!
Regards,
Gerry Bowler
Thanks Gerry!