Retail Leaders are Champions. There, I Said it.

Let's cut to the chase. Retail is boot camp for every job under the sun.

There are hundreds of demands all day long. You need to be able to keep up and also switch priorities at the drop of a hat. People who think we fold clothes all day long obviously have never worked in a customer-facing environment. That's okay, but they need to recognize the skill set that we bring.

There is no such thing as a typical week. Sure, I used to make Monday my office day, but there was more than once that I ended up being a cashier because someone called out sick or we got super busy. It wasn't ideal, but I made it work.

The sales floor and the team were the priority. You can add hours to the following day to give yourself office time. Get out to the floor while it's busy, and then figure the rest out later.

If you get busy, get out of the office and get on the floor. Help people, and take their money. You're welcome.

Retail leaders are like the Swiss Army Knife of leaders. They can do anything. Most have worked their way up from sales or stock positions, so they understand how everything in the building works. All of it. They know the intricacies of the business like no one else. Multi-tasking goes to a whole other level.

The frontline is no joke.

It's ironic and sad that the retail workforce is sometimes looked down upon because it takes an insane amount of skill to do the job well.

A writer friend of mine was talking about what a bummer it was when people leave mean comments on an article. Yes, that's true. It sucks.

"In retail, people are mean to your face." - I said

You have to maintain your composure while someone is mad or confused. Try to do that while you keep an eye on ten sales associates, ensure that they are still working, and keep a running list of who you need to send on a break in your head. That's just the start of your day.

Have a conversation with a stranger and make it feel genuine. Connect with them about their day or their vacation. Know when to keep talking and when to break away. Make it seamless. Know what they may need before they do. Customer service is an art.

If you're able to ring someone up, answer the phone, and take off a sensor with one hand, you are officially a superhero. Not only that, but you jump back into the conversation right where you left off. Not many people can do that.

Takeaway

People can get way too wrapped up in job titles and careers. Don't let that steal your focus. If you can lead a team in retail, you can do it anywhere.

You're in charge of the operations of an entire building. That's an insane amount of things, and you are a total badass. Continue to learn and contribute every day. Be there for your team, and help them out without thinking of anything in return.

The boot camp of retail will prepare you for whatever you do next. It will make you agile and forward-thinking. It will make you friends for life.

It is a crazy ride. Enjoy it.

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If you enjoyed my writing,?join my free weekly publication, Traveling Money. Each week, I encourage you to slow down and take a look around. You're a human, and that's enough.