My Monday Morning Cup | Treat People Like You Want To Be Treated

I sat in front of a well-known mobile service vendor 15 minutes early to my appointment to upgrade my smarter-than-me phone realizing I had officially become “the old guy” who always arrives way early to his meetings and appointments (LOL).

I walked up to the door 3 minutes before 9 and encountered the manager who informed me they would be open in 3-4 minutes. I looked on as he unlocked the door, entered the store, and then promptly re-locked the door behind him. It was drizzling rain and a slight breeze made it chilly. I watched as another employee walked in and out, locking and unlocking the door behind him each time. He didn’t greet me or look at me. Not once.

The scene was a far cry from when I arrived at work a few days prior to find my boss had unlocked the gates and opened the doors a couple hours early so that the local street people could come in out of the cold. He had driven in early just so he could do that. A big pot of oatmeal was cooking on the stove.

In recent weeks, I’ve had several conversations about my unique skill set and diverse experience. Experience is something acquired over time. Yes, indeed, there are some miles on these tires. But, there’s also a lot of good tread left.

One of the many lessons I have learned over the years is that the little things make all the difference when dealing with people. This is especially true in customer service situations that afford us endless opportunities to succeed in communicating that we value others or fail to effectively show people that they matter.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

In the secular business world, when it comes to making people feel valued, often we need only do the simple things that our competitors fail to do. This principle holds water in ministry, too. Do you need volunteers? Treat people in a manner that they feel valued and appreciated. Ensure that there is something for them to do, even if it might be faster to do it yourself. Cheer them on, know their names, and learn their stories. Thank them often. Communicate your gratitude and celebrate the little victories, like completing a job or task in record time. Make their volunteer experience enjoyable and fun. Help them make positive memories in the moments they spend with you.

I pray that your upcoming week is a richly blessed one overflowing with God’s favor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings,

The Devotional Guy™

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram!

Thank you to the wonderful visual artists and photographers at Pexels, Pixabay, Unsplash, and Pixlr.