YOU go first…

My awesome sister, Shelley, has a terrific blog of insights and pictures from a small rural town.

Check it out — it’s http://WhatIfItDid.com

And, while I am obviously “brother-proud” of the pictures she shoots and the insights she shares, there was a quote from a recent post that really struck me:

“Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you – not because they are nice, but because YOU are.”

One of my mentors — legendary speaker Charley Willey, CPAE — used to say during his speeches that he “didn’t want to hear some 16-year old kid singing the song, ‘My Way.’ Kid, you’re sixteen — you don’t have a way yet.”

Amazing, isn’t it, those who want to suggest others walk a line they have not been willing to toe?

I don’t want someone who has filed bankruptcy to tell me to pay my bills. I don’t want someone who violates a protective order to tell me to follow the law. I don’t want someone obsessively criticizing me — while at the same time they can’t handle their own issues.

Would you?

In my new book, “Ultimate Customer Experience” — OK, it’s only available and a bestseller in Asia and the Middle East, but I swear it’s coming soon to North America and Europe! – I talk about the “You Go First” phenomenon.

I want a friendly conversation. YOU be friendly FIRST.

I want to deliver great customer service. YOU (the customer) be nice to me FIRST.

I want to achieve more. YOU help me get started FIRST.

And, there’s a fundamental problem. Generally speaking, we want to tell others what’s wrong with THEM…before we are willing to step up and manage our own situations FIRST.

Want a secret to success? GO FIRST!

Don’t wait on someone else to solve their problems. Solve yours first.

Don’t wait on a customer to be nice to you. Treat them great first.

If YOU go first…YOU make the difference!

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