Be Nice - It Does Wonders

How many times do people do things for you in a day?  Take your Starbucks order?  Hold an elevator?  Hand you something you asked for? Answer a question?   

Try something right after reading this:  SMILE and say thank you to as many different people you can today for anything they do for you - anything.

I know - sounds too simple, and we probably think we do this already.  To my surprise however, I found I wasn't actually being that nice to people.  

Let me share a quick story of how something so small changed something so big for me, than even now in my business relationships and peers, staying more aware of this is now making a noticeable difference.  

I am hoping this may help you too.

First Phase - Cognizance

The other day I left my iPhone in the car stepping into Starbucks, but was in too much of a hurry to go back and get it.  I actually freaked out for a brief moment, experiencing e-withdrawal as that meant I couldn't app scan and add another star towards a free drink.  I remember thinking "Damn - I think I'm just 1 star away".  Nonetheless, I roughed it with cash.  

Standing in line for the first time without my device in recent recall, I was forced to do something highly unusual and actually not face plant into my phone, but instead observe other humans standing in line, sitting with coffee or shamelessly snarfing down breakfast croissants. Quite a sight actually.

But what I took particular notice of being about 6 back of the register, is how many people were so absorbed with themselves or conversation they neglected to  simply smile and vocally thank the baristas either taking the order or having made their drink.  

Shocking.  I could see baristas just running on automatic, but when the girl directly in front of me clearly thanked the barista, accompanied with a beautifully glowing smile, that automaticity broke, they lit up and looked one was ready to high five and chest bump the other.

Second Phase - Moment of Truth

I'm up.  I place my order in about 3 seconds and lose a fiver.  She hands me a few coins and in making eye contact with my toothy grin, I say "Hey thanks, you guys rock!"  She looked at me like I just gave her a promotion.  

I think her reaction of an ensuing blush and smile stay glued for the next hour as the person behind me did the same, and so did the one after.  I could see the next acknowledgment making the barista feel like she was going to get a performance bonus any second now. 

After the other barista made my drink with the deft skills and speed of a magician on Red Bull, I picked up my cup and yelled back "Hey man - thanks, you guys are so cool!", at which point he spun the canned whip in his hand like a baton, smiling back and said "You're welcome!".  Again, his lingering smile now continued over the next few drinks.

I noticed before I left I left, a legacy of "thank you's" had started.  I thought that was totally cool.  

But what was even more cool?  I felt good about being nice - and felt even better seeing the genuine satisfaction on those faces in being acknowledged.

Final Phase - Karma 

I finally get to my meeting about 30 minutes later. I would be greeting someone for the first time I anticipated no less than dealing with a mannequin in Nordstrom's.  

Nonetheless, I walk in and after receiving a well-rehearsed greeting and lumberjack handshake, I sat down, paused, leaned slightly forward looking right at him and said "I first just wanted to thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I know you're crazy-busy, but I honestly appreciate it", again accompanied by my toothy grin.  

He looked right back at me, cracked his plasticity with a warm smile and I think his cute chubby little cheeks even got a bit pink and said "oh it was nothing, I'm happy to meet with you any time."

That felt really good.  Not me being nice, but seeing his heartfelt appreciation of my acknowledgment of him. 

Needless to say, the meeting went great, I got the deal and life is good.

Moral of the Story

I think that day I got on a complete roll and must have smiled and said thank you to maybe 20 more people.  I even thanked a dog that seemed to curb himself and look up at me as I walked by the owner in heading to my apartment down 10th.  I can't say I've felt that satisfied in a while - the kind of feel-good that comes from seeing someone else just feel even better. 

Why am I sharing this story?  Because there's so much bad news going around, despicable headlines, grouchy attitudes and inconsiderate moments, that simply being nice with a warm smile and appreciation to others will do wonders.

Try it today.  As many times as you possibly can and then see you how you feel.  

But most of all -- see how they feel.

It might even do wonders for your business!