Did you know the best Home Depot employee in the country lives in Edmond, Oklahoma? More on that in a second...
Our faculty and staff begin every spring semester at OCA with an in-service day. This provides us a chance to finish up loose ends from the previous semester and creates an opportunity for us to get together and kick-off the new year with excitement and positive motivation. This year I opened up our inservice by highlighting a recent shopping experience I had at Home Depot.
It was the day before Christmas Eve, the store was packed, and everyone was busy. Let me be totally honest, I begrudge retail shopping during the Christmas season. It seems there is a direct correlation between how grouchy a retail employee is and how close it is to Christmas. I’ve shopped at Home Depot a lot over the years and have had many pleasant experiences, but this trip to get paint turned out to be quite special.
My two year old son was with me to pick up our paint. Taking a two-year old to the store can make for a hazardous shopping experience. I often end up forgetting something I need because I'm so focused on not losing him or keeping him from breaking something. As we approached the paint department, it was immediately evident that this day would be different.
Our faculty and staff begin every spring semester at OCA with an in-service day. This provides us a chance to finish up loose ends from the previous semester and creates an opportunity for us to get together and kick-off the new year with excitement and positive motivation. This year I opened up our inservice by highlighting a recent shopping experience I had at Home Depot.
It was the day before Christmas Eve, the store was packed, and everyone was busy. Let me be totally honest, I begrudge retail shopping during the Christmas season. It seems there is a direct correlation between how grouchy a retail employee is and how close it is to Christmas. I’ve shopped at Home Depot a lot over the years and have had many pleasant experiences, but this trip to get paint turned out to be quite special.
My two year old son was with me to pick up our paint. Taking a two-year old to the store can make for a hazardous shopping experience. I often end up forgetting something I need because I'm so focused on not losing him or keeping him from breaking something. As we approached the paint department, it was immediately evident that this day would be different.
First, the store employee drew a smiley face on a piece of blue painters tape and handed it to my son. He then said, "would you like to see how paint is made?" Sawyer was immediately engaged, so we walked around to watch. The employee then said, "Could you be a helper and help me make the paint?" Sawyer responded immediately, "Sure!" From this point forward, Sawyer got to scan the paint code, hit the enter button on the computer to start the mixing, helped hammer down the lid, assisted in walking the paint over to the shaking machine, then pressed the power button, and finalized the project by checking the color.
This entire experience reminded me what it takes to be a great employee within any profession or field. Great employees are selfless and are concerned with creating experiences for the customer. Customers return when they have had an awesome experience.
This entire experience reminded me what it takes to be a great employee within any profession or field. Great employees are selfless and are concerned with creating experiences for the customer. Customers return when they have had an awesome experience.
FISH, a book written in 2000 by Lundin, Paul, & Christensen, highlights multiple qualities of great employees by taking a look at the world famous Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle.
- Employees can CHOOSE their attitudes everyday. Fortunately, Home Depot has an employee that chose an attitude of kindness and selflessness.
- Great employees are looking to MAKE YOUR DAY. How great would work be if you could go home every day knowing you made someone's day?
- Great employees are PRESENT. They don’t have their cell phone tucked behind the register and they aren’t checking email while talking to you. They are present in the moment. Let this be a reminder to all of us. Put down what you are doing and be present in the moment because people matter more than the task at hand.
So, what kind of employee will you be this year? This was the central question I proposed to my teachers during in-service when I shared my Home Depot experience, and I believe it’s an important question for each of us to ask ourselves. Whether you are in retail or not, each of your interactions with another human being is an opportunity to make someone’s day, and we do that by choosing a positive attitude and being present in the moment. These guidelines apply to parents as we serve our children, to teachers as we lead by example for our students, and for anyone else who interacts with people.
Too many people use social media to promote negativity. Share this post and help me spread something positive to start the new year!
