All Rise!
Graham Harvey CSP
Service Leadership: Coaching service leaders and their teams to design cultures of service excellence, and to deliver standout customer experiences that delight every customer ... every time!
When viewing Judge Judy, Law and Order, A Few Good men, To Kill a Mockingbird, other courtroom dramas, or attending court yourself, the one thing in common is that everyone in attendance, except those physically unable, all stand when the presiding judicial officer enters the Court room.
It not only shows respect for the Judge, but also serves to draw focus to the matters at hand, and it quietens the room.
The same occurs when Black Rod knocks three times on the door at the opening of Parliament ... all those inside the Chamber rise for the issuing of the summons of the Monarch or his/her representative to attend. Similarly when senior clergy enter a house of worship, or when the national anthem is being sung prior to kick-off at an international sporting event, all those gathered rise.
Also, have you noticed there are no chairs behind the check-in counters at Five-star Hotels ... reception staff stand to greet their Guests ... again, a sign of respect and welcome.
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Whether in private, or when groups are gathered, it is both common courtesy and highly respectful to stand when being introduced, and/or shaking someone’s hand.
Traditionally, when someone enters a room, the people already in the room, or seated at a table, stand to greet the newcomer. It is?a respectful and welcoming gesture signaling acknowledgment of that person. Standing up is what we do when someone comes into our space, whether it be our home, office, or any definitive space that is ours.
And so it is with greeting customers, no matter the setting ... retail, tourism, hospitality, professional services, trades, etc. ... especially when someone enters your personal office.
Closing question... is standing to greet everyone who enters your space, a respectful non-negotiable must-be implemented protocol at your place of business?
Executive Director Icon Tourism Consulting, Past Chairman Australia's Coral Coast, Deputy Chairman of Tourism WA
1 个月Great article, Graham. The short answer to your question is yes! If the customer is the centre of your business, then you stand. When I had a fully functioning office and people were brought into my office, I would always stand from behind my desk and go to greet them. Whether it was someone trying to sell me something or the Minister of Tourism, I made sure to seat them and offer something—be it water, coffee, or just a friendly welcome. I did the same for my staff. Respect, courtesy, and making people feel welcome should not be reserved for any particular rank or purpose. In Greek, we have a word for this mindset—filotimo. It’s a deeply embedded cultural concept, often hard to translate directly, but it encompasses a sense of duty, respect, and pride in doing the right thing by others. Standing up, acknowledging someone’s presence, and showing respect is a manifestation of filotimo. It demonstrates that you value the person who has entered your space, be it a client, a colleague, or even a stranger. In today’s fast-paced, digital world, I think we’ve lost touch with some foundational principles of personal interaction and business. Standing leaves a lasting impression always in my opinion.