Say Hello to the Little People
Steve DiGioia — March 21, 2019 — March 21, 2019
…if you want to get ahead, you better do this!
OK, there is no such thing as little people; the hourly employees holding minor positions in an otherwise large business. Every employee and each position held are important and must be recognized. That’s where the problems arise; we don’t say hello to the little people anymore.
As we climb the corporate ladder we no longer, intentionally or not, say hello to the many foundational employees who keep the business running; the restaurant dishwasher, hotel housekeeper, mailroom clerk, or department store stock person. We think that since “we’re management now”, we need to interact more with upper management so they can see how brightly our star shines. We’re now focused on being “one of the boys” and more opportunities that may follow because of it.
But without the assistance of those “below you” (I hate using this term, sorry), you’ll never get the job done unless you do it all yourself.
Stop and say hello to everyone you come in contact with, especially those in junior positions or new to the company. Ask how their days off were, wish them a safe travel home at the end of the day, and welcome them all with a warm smile and sincere phrases.
Throughout the years I have gotten more assistance and cooperation from the most unlikely employees because all I had to do was ask. They didn’t help me because I was their boss; most times I wasn’t. They helped me because they respected me because I respected them.
I treated them as a person; the very same person I always say we should treat our customers like. They’re not customers, they are living breathing people with feelings, hopes, wants, and desires. Our employees are exactly the same.
We need customers to feel good about doing business with us and we need our employees to feel good about coming to work each day and dealing with us – not because they have to but because they want to. There is a difference, a difference that cannot always be measured in productivity numbers or satisfaction scores.
Here’s my suggestion to you, at the start of your day, and especially the start of your workweek, set aside some time to walk the floor of your business and engage your team and those from other departments – and do so preferably at the beginning of your shift. Say hello, ask how they are – and most importantly of all – wait and listen for the answer.
Follow-up on what they say and ask a clarifying question. Don’t tell them what you did on your days off, ask about theirs. People love to talk about themselves and appreciate those who stop to listen to their story.
This is the beginning of your journey to becoming a “people person”; someone who is friendly, warm, and kind to strangers and people from all walks of life.
Keep this up and I’m confident that when you need help, all you’ll have to do is ask – and many times you won’t have to ask at all. The “little people” will already be looking out for your best interests.
Why? Because you have shown time and time again that you’ve looked out for theirs!
Image courtesy of monster.com/career-advice/article/favoritism-at-work
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