“Young man, please step away from the wall!”

This is post I saw on another blog at qbq.com that struck a chord.

Posted by John G. Miller
(from http://qbq.com/young-man-please-step-away-from-the-wall/#more-7426)


“Young man, please step away from the wall!”

The college-age employee turned, looked at me, and then—beaming slightly—stepped back from his work.

Aiming my iPhone camera, I asked …

“So, did you know that along with making Venti, 8 pump, single shot, nonfat, extra caramel, extra hot, upside down caramel machiattos—you’d also be cleaning urinals?”

Brightly, he said, “Yes, sir! My sister worked here before me. I knew exactly what I’d be doing.”

Excellent attitude, I thought. No griping, whining, complaining, or bemoaning. He’s no victim. He’s happy to be employed.

When I finished (taking the picture, that is), he went back to  scrubbing.

No, wait, he wasn’t scrubbing, he was … polishing.

Yes, he was polishing the pipes!

This all took place a couple of weeks ago in the men’s room at the Starbucks of Dumont, Colorado, nestled in the Rocky mountains. I was in awe, but not just of the scenery outside.

I was in awe of this young man.

For those of us old enough to remember car phones (yes, I said car, not cell) who are convinced the work-mentality of young people today is more like “What do you mean I can’t take a two-week European vacation 90 days after starting here!?” than the attitude I saw in this fella, here’s the good news:

Pride still lives.

Pride—truly a multiple-meaning word. It can be negative, as in “pride goeth before a fall.” It can be humbling, as in “swallowing my pride.” And, written vertically, it can be instructive!

Personal

Responsibility

In

Doing

Excellence

——————

Ha ha, I like that … and not just because it fits the acrostic!

Doing Excellence.

People today often talk about “doing life.” That’s cool, but how about doing life in an excellent way?”

Food for thought:

Am I taking personal responsibility for the quality of my work?

Am I going the extra mile, giving 110%?

Am I modeling excellence for my kids, staff, colleagues, and/or customers?

I visited the Dumont Starbucks again this week. I didn’t need to use the bathroom, but I went into it anyway.

I wanted to see the urinal.

I was not disappointed.

I could see myself in the gleaming pipes!

And, I must admit I felt a twinge of pride because I’d met the person responsible for the excellent work in front of me—the work of a person who cares enough to polish the plumbing.

I want to be more like that.

I Ain't Scared to be Fired

I was doing a little research on something the other night and came across a list of things to look for when hiring someone.  One of the things on the list was:

Hire those who aren't afraid to be fired

It made me stop and think...then re-read the list...then think some more.  I came to the conclusion that

I agree

Hire those who aren't afraid to be fired

These people will have energy, excitement, drive, ambition.  The will challenge the status quo - challenge you as the leader - and make you re-think things and force you to be sure in the reasons for your decisions.  They aren't afraid to take a step out there - take a risk - in order to take the company to a higher level.

At least that is how I interpreted the statement.

Of course it may be that those that ain't scared to be fired might just be total bums...

Awesome Sauce

I never heard the phrase "Awesome Sauce" until I saw the Discover commercial.  (Click here to view)  The phrase stuck in my head - I guess it was good advertising although I couldn't remember the company that the commercial was for as I started writing this post. I thought it was AT&T.  I was actually glad it wasn't AT&T but that's another story...

Awesome Sauce

What a cool phrase

"Let's sprinkle some awesome sauce on this project"

"I need a little awesome sauce this morning"

"Wow!  That's a big heaping pile of awesome sauce!"

It's so descriptive

Of course it could become cheesy and annoying if used too much but for now I like the positivity it brings to me.  I like how it alters my mood.  I like how it provides energy.

Awesome Sauce

4 out of five managers of grocery stores recommend it (well...at least one out of one!)

Huddle Talk - Thank You

Thank you!

2 very simple words

2 very powerful words

2 very necessary words

We are in the business of serving people.  To be very blunt, we serve our customers in order to get their money.  We want to sell as many groceries as possible to as many people as we can each day.

And guess what?

We are pretty good at it!

We serve over 3000 customers a day.  That means over 3000 people a day give us money.

How many times do we say

THANK YOU

Not 

"No Problem"

Or

"Sure thing"

Or

"Here you go"

But

THANK YOU

a sincere

THANK YOU

Hopefully over 3000 times a day!

Take Risks

Associate of the Month - Ricci Turpin

"Yay of the Month!" Associate of the Month Ricci Turpin.

He's a night stocker and does a wonderful job and raised his level - which I didn't think was possible - during our recent snow event.

Your co-workers recognized your hard work Ricci!

Congratulations!!!

(Ricci is in the center surrounded by his fellow "night guys")

The Sun