There’s a smile…then, there is a SMILE!

January 25, 2010 · 1 comment

One of the coolest inventions that has helped me in recent memory is Wi-Fi on airplanes! It knocks me out to be able to get online, get work done, post blogs and Tweets, and do so much work on the plane that it makes my time once I arrive at my destination more productive.

That’s where I’m writing this post…30,000 feet, on my way to Tucson, Arizona to keynote the national meeting for Duro-last, one of the (if not THE) nation’s leaders in roofing material and installation.

So…on this flight, there is a flight attenant who is smiling at my fellow passengers and me as she serves our lunch and coffee. But, she’s not really smiling. Her lips are parted, her teeth are exposed…but, it’s not REALLY a smile, if you know what I mean. It’s forced. It’s not natural.

Her eyes are saying, “I would rather be ANYWHERE than here.” Yet, it’s her job to dish out the stuff that we’ve requested.

On every Delta flight now, however, take a look at the recent safety instruction video. The person portraying the flight attendant smiles a REAL smile, wiggles her finger at us and tells us, “Smoking is NOT allowed…” Her energy shines through the video — she’s truly having a great time, and she cannot hide it.

Imagine my surprise to learn that she’s not an actress…she’s a REAL flight attendant. Her name is Katherine Lee…and her charisma is charming!

As you serve customers, if your heart isn’t in it…it cannot help but show. However, if you are engaged and enthusiastic about what you do…even a camera cannot hide it.

How passionate are YOU about the people you serve?

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  • http://scottmckain.com Scott McKain

    One more thing…my good friend (and fellow alumnus of radio station WMPI from our youth) Terry Dismore sent this to me via Facebook:

    “Had a UCE at, of all places, a RaceTrac store in Dallas last week. I was fueling the rental car (it was Texas, so it was an F-150!) and as I topped off the tank, I got the dreaded message that the “Cashier has the Receipt”.

    Drat! If I WANTED to go inside, I would have. Anyway, the young man working the VERY busy counter apologized and offered me a cold or hot fountain drink of my choice “for my trouble”.

    Wow! Guess where I’ll be tanking up when I am flying out of Love Field! And the hot chocolate I got was delicious!”

    Great example, Terry! You gave us a great story of how a person with a great attitude makes a compelling difference!

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