It was 2:30 in the afternoon and I'd been at the computer working on proposals for over 4 hours. I needed a break and was famished. I decided to take a quick drive to my favorite taco place.
It was a gorgeous day out so I got a seat on the patio. When the server, Shannon, came to greet me she had the most genuine smile I'd seen on any server in a very long time. (I've found that most servers are on their way to their dream job and few love foodservices.)
Just her sunny disposition was enough to convince me to treat myself to the blueberry margarita instead of the iced tea I'd planned. And instead of rushing my lunch in 30 minutes, I sat back and enjoyed the sunshine and unusually dry weather.
I also people watched, some call it judging, and I find it edutaining. Shannon was as pleasant and genuine with every guest. Even the pair of young twenty somethings that were struggling to decide on a drink and ordered two beers. Except when the beers arrived, the girls looked confused, took a sip and decided to leave saying it wasn't what they'd ordered (it was.)
Shannon took it in stride. I asked what her "BIG DREAM" was and she said that she and her boyfriend had just moved to Atlanta from Savannah 3 months earlier and were getting on their feet. She had a degree in Business with a minor in HR and she wanted to pursue a position in HR for a large corporation.
Her positivity was contagious and I volunteered to connect her with a client of mine who is a Director of HR for a healthcare corporation in Atlanta. Aptitude can be taught, attitude is much more challenging to teach and Shannon's smile said she had a great one. That smile will get her at least a conversation with my client, the rest is up to them.
Smiles, when genuine, open doors. Are you benefitting from yours?
