Gold Elite Status

I walked into the hotel, weary after 10 hours of driving, and with only an hour to rest before I had to head to load-in for the event. The front desk attendant, a man in his mid 20s, was barely paying attention.

“Excuse me?” I sputtered weakly.

“Oh, hi. Checking in?”

“Yes.”

“Mmk.”

He walked through the check-in steps with an attitude that can only be described as blah until out of nowhere something on the computer screen caught his eye. A smile rose from the depths of non-existence, spread across his face revealing a perfect white, Hollywood grin.

“Mr. Miller,” he said. â€œWelcome. And thank you for being a Gold Elite Member. I’ve got your room preferences. In fact, we’ve upgraded you to a King Suite. Here is a bottle of water, that’s the WiFi code for premier Internet, and you’ll be receiving an extra 1000 points just for staying with us tonight.”

Well, that brightened my night. Or at least it did for a few minutes while I took the elevator up to my room. And then it hit me: Why did my hotel chain status change how he treated me as a person?

Status is a Story

He wasn’t being rude prior to his discovery of my status, by any means. He was doing his job perfectly adequately. But he definitely hadn’t gone out of his way to make me feel welcome.

Shouldn’t we treat everyone like they have Gold Elite Status? I don’t mean perks, bonuses, or points. Just humanity. Just make people feel seen and heard. Wouldn’t that be enough?

And then, of course, it occurred to me: I hadn’t treated him with Gold Elite Status. My excuse? I was exhausted after 10 hours of driving. I’m the guest. It’s his job, not mine!

Everyone we meet has a background. They have hopes and dreams, worries and concerns, just as important to them as ours are to us. If we want others to make us feel seen and heard, then maybe we should set the example.

I had a lovely conversation with him when I got back from my gig late that evening. Super nice guy.

* * * * *

Brian Miller is globetrotting magician turned author & speaker who works with organizations, students, and educators who want to create an environment where everyone feels heard, understood, and valued.

He is the creator and host of One New Person, a bi-weekly interview-based podcast that reminds us every interaction is meaningful, and every person we meet is important.

Brian’s book Three New People is a plea for humanity in a divisive world, and how-to guide to connect with anyone, strengthen your relationships, and build a sustainable career. He is most known for his TEDx talk â€œHow to Magically Connect with Anyone”, which has been seen and shared by 3 million people worldwide.

Visit BrianMillerSpeaks.com to sign up for the weekly blog and receive a handful of valuable resources including "Meet Your Three: 7 Ways to Open a Conversation with Anyone."