Today I am thinking about going the extra mile. Or inch.
In a world of angst and turmoil, fear and skepticism, busy-ness and always-behind-ness, I think you humans have become a bit jaded in your expectations of others and of yourselves.
Humans are constantly disappointed in one another. And it becomes a dangerous downward spiral. If you’re disappointed in everyone else, your standards go down. When your standards go down, perhaps without even realizing it, your own performance bar inches down a little bit as well, to match the rest of the world’s.
The good news is that it doesn’t take much these days to go beyond what others expect of you – in any aspect of your life. In fact, just a little bit of extra effort can make a huge impact on those around you – your friends, your family, your colleagues, your clients, anyone.
I’m a grumpy looking guy. So new people meeting me always say hello and maybe hold their hand out to give me a scritch but that’s about it. Imagine their surprise when, once they’ve settled on the couch, I jump up on their lap and begin snuggling and purring! The typical response is “Oh! OH! Well HI THERE SWEETIE! I had no idea you were so friendly!” Then, they scritch me for the rest of the visit, reveling in my cat-love, with a big old smile on their face.
Exceeding expectations.
This weekend, my staff gave the pizza delivery dude a $10 tip on a small order. He looked at her strangely and said, “Are you sure?” She said, “Of course I’m sure! You deserve it!” He told her she made his night because the last two customers had stiffed him. And then he pretty much skipped down the walkway back to his car.
Exceeding expectations.
Have you ever returned a business call within a short period of time? My staff says the original caller is always shocked. “Wow, that was fast!”
At Romeo, Inc. this is an area I really am going to push my staff. It’s so important.
And, it’s not that hard in work, and in life, to take the extra step to surprise and delight others.
What are you going to do to exceed expectations today?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Our mom needs to work on exceeding expectations where return email messages are concerned.
Romeo, you are the smartest cat I know (except for our cat Kiki, of course). (She made me say that!) Hugs to you and your staff.
Romeo, Inc. <<< Haa haaa.. This made my morning. Always great to start a Monday (or any day) with a Ro Po (Post from Romeo). May be BC give you and Pugs many treats today. Please go easy on the Female Staff in the morning, Romeo.
Gr-r-r-r-reat post, Romeo!
We love this post. It takes so little to brighten most people’s day.
What a good reminder…mom got an email from a friend this morning saying that she got a crushing review from a third party and was very hurt by the comments. So, I am taking a moment to stop and think before saying things to people today……