Attitude of Gratitude

Attitude of Gratitude

For me, attitude is everything. A great attitude usually means a happy heart. The happy heart is approachable, engaged, collaborative and often innovative.?

Recently, I read that the more things you are grateful for the more outwardly positive you become. Something as simple as seeing the sunshine and declaring it a beautiful day!

Having an attitude of gratitude (and obviously experience) has helped me accomplish so many things in my retail career. Having great leaders who inspired me to do more and gave me opportunities I had not even considered. I remembered being the men’s sportswear manager at Parisian when Joe my manager said “Have you ever thought about HR? I hadn’t! But was given the opportunity and taught how to do the job and I loved it! Talk about recognizing and rewarding! Then there was a time I was asked to attend an interview with Jan, Chair of Western Division for another retailer and I thought it was surely for an assistant store manager position but at the end of the lunch she offered me the opportunity to run my own store and then came to that store and spent time showing me what she wanted me to know. It was a very successful time and I was so grateful for the opportunity. By the way, that store ended the year in the top three, performance over plan!

There once was a large layoff at Macys and after being recruited to join and working there for two years, I was being told that my position would eliminated. I was one of two AGM’s at a rather large location and the other had more tenure. But I loved that team and was happy that it wasn’t the married guy with a kid! I was offered a generous severance package and was planning my next adventure. Then the vendors found out, then my business partners and DM’s found out then the offers for other jobs came in….Then?the highest level position in our market walked into the store and I was the only leader in the building. I walked him through three floors and discussed the business and people on each and represented our team to the best of my ability and when he goes to leave he asks “aren’t you being laid off?” I say yes, that’s me. He said you have the absolute best attitude, personality and outlook!” He was shocked that I wasn’t salty nor shut down. I had no reason to be, it was a great experience until the layoff and even then I was getting more and more offers. Then I got a call from Macys and was able to interview and then earn a multi store HR position in another state and was relocated for that position. Another opportunity to be grateful.

I am by definition outwardly positive most of the time. I’ve had personal loss, professional challenges but by grace and design I always land on my feet. I can’t be anything but happy. Things can get stressful and tragedy happens but you do not have to live there! When I was unhappy at work it was mainly because someone’s negative outlook was impacting me and others. Side note: this same person told me “I was no spring chicken!” It’s laughable now! What a joke. He was implying that I was stuck there! Like who would want you ?! Sir, I have never been stuck anywhere and I can show you better than I can tell you! Let’s just say we both left that company but for me, it was for Sephora!

My time with Sephora has been such a fun and exciting time. The lesson is your work should not be a burden. "If you aren’t enjoying it, don’t do it!”

So the things I’m most grateful for now:

1. I was hired externally for a top volume door and inherited the most amazing group of leaders and beauty advisors! This team is outstanding and resilient! #teamponce

2. The success of the store in the time I’ve been there. Picked up a million my first year and over three million this year.

3. Grateful for my peers, the amazing Greater Atlanta District. If you have a question, ask the group, they are always willing to help and offer suggestions.

4. Grateful for my boss, he also is an outwardly positive. Those are the best types to work for!?He challenges without being overbearing, gives and receives feedback and knows how to deliver a message without tearing anyone down. He is also always down to celebrate!

5. I am grateful for all the opportunities presented to me! I was recently offered an opportunity to recruit for Sephora stores in our Northwest and I am relocating to Seattle in the coming months. I am so grateful to be seen and heard and given a platform to find and embrace top talent and artist. This is so exciting, I am forever grateful!

I’m Cheryl Warren, Retail Executive with 20+ years of experience. I’m sharing my story to help us better understand our commonalities, showing others empathy, true concern and support when it is needed the most. Also, you are as young as you feel, and you aren't stuck anywhere! And if you don't enjoy your work, come work with us!