As part of my travels, I recently had lunch at Joan’s Café in Stafford, Kansas. It’s located on Highway 50 just across the road from the elevator. My lunch was great – but what’s important here was the service.
There were two people working in the entire restaurant. One of them was primarily doing the clean-up and bussing of tables – and I assume the cooking, too. Another young lady was the waiting all the tables. And she was busy!
As I went to the register to pay my bill, the waitress asked me to just wait a few minutes as she got some food out. After a few minutes, she got back to me. I said to her, “You’re really hustling! You’re doing a great job!” And without hesitation she responded, “I hope so, it’s how I make my living.”
Wow! That framed it up perfectly. I left there thankful for, and encouraged by, her commitment to excellence. I respect her perspective; it’s the difference maker. How many times do we find people service who are just putting in their time. All of this reminded me of Simon Sinek’s great book, Start With Why.
The book revolves around the question: What’s your why? And he provides a great vignette to demonstrate the principle. He goes to two stone masons and asks, “Do you like your job?” Both of them respond like this:
I’ve been building this wall for as long as I can remember.
The work is monotonous.
I work in the scorching hot sun all day.
The stones are heavy and lifting them day after day can be backbreaking.
I’m not even sure if this project will be completed in my lifetime.”
But the difference comes with how they finish their response. The first one says, “But it’s a job. It pays the bills.” The second one, though, provides a striking contrast when he concludes with, “But I’m building a cathedral.” He understood the why!
And that changes everything! What’s your why?
Nevil Speer is an independent consultant based in Bowling Green, KY. The views and opinions expressed herein do not reflect, nor are associated with in any manner, any client or business relationship. He can be reached at nevil.speer@turkeytrack.biz.
