If you know me, you know that I am quick to call out shady shit. If a waiter is horrible, I will address it. If a neighbor crawls through their window at 5am repeatedly because they are scoring meth, I will address it. When a racist stands behind me in WalMart and disparages a group of people, I will loudly address it. I am all about being vocal when things are shady shitty.
I also am not one to be shy or scared to speak out about those kinds of things. I will sometimes ask whoever is with me, “Want me to say something?” To make sure that they have a voice to call out their own dealings with shady shit.
In light of all of that calling out for the bad, I also work just as hard calling out the good things. On my way out of restaurants, if I see the manager as I am walking and the wait staff was solid, I will tell them so. I like knowing the name of my servers. If they don’t introduce themselves by name, I make sure to eyeball their name tag. I have been in their position before. I have worked long hours, I know how tiring it can be. I also know that when you are good at it you rarely hear the praise. But screw up just one time… If they are extra great, I make it a point to track down the shift manager to let them know and on occasion I will take to Twitter to give praise as publicly as possible.
Those little surveys at the bottom of receipts. I try hard to remember to fill them out. Sometimes the $5 off my next visit is a draw but it is also to give props or critique where needed.
If I am passing a stranger and I like their hat, outfit, shoes, smile, comment – I make it a point to casually say “good job on that”.
It takes only a few moments and costs nothing to give praise. It can literally be on your way out the door and passing a manager and speaking a few words. It can make someone’s day. It can bolster their (and your) mood. It sends good vibes out into the world. The world needs more good vibes.
Thoughts and Ponderances 