Maria Palma from CustomersAreAlways mentions a couple of overheard conversations regarding work – both positive. I had a similar experience the other day at my favorite Chinese restaurant – only from two different ends of the spectrum.
A few tables over, a couple was discussing their newly launched home-based venture. I wasn’t able to gather what it was exactly, but they were ecstatic about it. The positive energy just seemed to flow from them as they talked about being able to be home with their new baby who was quietly sleeping in next to them.
Contrast that with the conversation overheard from the table behind me. A group was out to lunch from a local office and they were all complaining about their jobs. One young lady in particular was livid that her boss was making her check that all the files on the network were okay after she transferred them.
“So for 4 days this week, I’ve spent most of my time opening files, looking though them to make sure they looked okay, then marking it down in a spreadsheet. What a bullsh** job! I’m paying a ton of money for daycare so I can come here and do busywork! So much for my business degree…”
Now, I’m paraphrasing a bit. I can’t remember the conversation exactly, but the bullsh** part I remember. And the part about the money for day care. I had this barely controllable urge to turn around and shake her yelling “dear God lady! Do you hear yourself! Is your new Navigator really worth THIS!” (Okay, I’m not sure the Navigator they came in was hers, but it makes the point more dramatic.)
Maria’s point about positive energy and fun are right on. Not only were there two radically different types of energy being felt, but they affected those around them differently. I couldn’t help but notice how the same waitress was a great server to the first couple and a “…slow and I ordered a spring roll” type of waitress to the file-checker lady behind me. The waitress didn’t change, and neither did her level of service. The difference was the perception of the ones being served.