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Love is choosing to accept someone — imperfections , weaknesses , demands , and all — no matter his or circumstances or needs . We need to meet our coworkers and customers where they are , not where we want them to be . Patience requires us to set our own expectations aside without indulging in frustration or negativity .
Recognition : According to Mary Kay Ash , founder of the eponymous multi-million dollar cosmetics company , “ There are two things people what more than sex and money — recognition and praise .”
Love is paying attention . We don ’ t ignore that which we move , whether a person or an activity . Focus equals fondness .
Recognition motivated by love moves beyond the casual acknowledgment of existence ; it does more than focus on what is . It focuses on what could be . Ralph Waldo Emerson once said , “ Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be .” Not surprisingly , the recognition of another ’ s potential often starts him or her toward its achievement .
We have to recognize the specific needs and desires of those with whom we work and those whom we serve . Applying the irresistible ingredient requires us to move beyond small talk to the deeper issues in people ’ s lives . It ’ s far too easy to judge a coworker or customer by how he or she looks or acts rather than doing the hard work of understanding why . Challenging ourselves to really know people is unusual in our culture , but the relationships we build will
measure our success in the long run .
Appreciation : Friends of mine just launched an internet company called Propadoo ( www . propadoo . com ). The idea is insanely simple : use the web to make it easy for people to give and received “ props ” online . Want to give a service provider a recommendation ? Do it instantly at Propadoo . Want your clients to know about the rave reviews others give you ? Use Propadoo .
Yes , there is a monetary payoff — referrals , buzz , and increased search engine optimization — but the social driver is more interesting to me . Propadoo is about recognition and appreciation . Propadoo lets people use technology to send a message that says , “ You matter . Your work matters . I appreciate you .”
Appreciation comes from looking for what ’ s right rather than being hypersensitive to what ’ s wrong . It is about choosing to focus on the positive even when you can ’ t ignore the negative .
Too often we forget to stop and express our appreciation to the people who serve alongside us and the people who serve us . From the smallest gesture — a smile or a quick internet “ prop ”— to the largest bonus or award , people need to know that their work matters to us . Our customers and coworkers will respond positively every time we offer genuine appreciation — guaranteed .
Love is paying attention . We don ’ t ignore that which we
The Credit Professional 30 love , whether a person or an activity . Focus equals fondness . Counsel : Don ’ t tell people what they want to hear . Tell them what they need to hear . Just make sure you tell them in a way that they will listen !
I recall being put off by a highly incentivized sales professional in an electronics store until he confided in me that the DVD player I was about to purchase was inexpensive but laden with problems . He would have made a commission had I bought the unit , and yet he demonstrated his concern for me by sharing that insight instead . His interest in helping me make a good buying decision instantly changed my attitude about him .
Love is offering wise and insightful advice that is in the best interest of the receiver rather than the giver . When asked , it is easy to criticize or suggest the first thought that comes to mind , no matter its validity . A thoughtful input or response shows that we value the individual and care about his or her needs .
Time : Love is taking time to address another ’ s needs . In our lightning-fast world where the average attention span is less than two minutes , time is a valuable commodity and should be handled as such . By giving the gift of time to a coworker or customer , we show that we value them above all of the other things that cry out for our attention .
One of the most powerful love practices at work is the pause , making time to be fully present with another person . We ask each other “ How are you doing ?” all the time and never
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