Unplug, Really Connect and Make A Difference

I typically shop at the grocery store in the early morning. At 7:00 am there’s not many shoppers so usually it’s just one of several cashiers who handle that shift.

Katrina is a lovely, 50-ish Eastern European woman with a bright smile and bubbly personality. We usually engage in some small talk about food, birds, dogs and other critters. I hadn't seen her for awhile.

This particular morning (The Tuesday after Memorial Day), something seemed a bit off. I asked her if she had a great, long weekend. She just shrugged and said it was OK. I paused, then asked if she had to work all weekend.

“No, actually I had my regular days off.”

So, I just paused again, seeing if she would continue. She then added somberly,

“My husband died last month.”

I’m usually not at a loss for words. But it’s hard to speak when the wind is knocked out of you. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry,” was the best I could muster.

Then she just kind of frowned. I’ve never felt so awkward at a grocery store checkout. Sure, I’ve said really stupid things there before, and I was really trying to avoid doing it here. “I can tell how much he meant to you.”

“Yes,” she replied.

“Had he been sick?”

Then she opened up and spoke for about a minute, explaining that he had some breathing issues. Katrina has a beautiful accent, but often I’m only able to understand about two-thirds of what she says. It didn’t matter. I smiled, nodded my head and listened. (There was no one else in line.)

At that moment I’m also trying to think of how to close it with her on a positive. And I’m also attempting to remember the list of stupid things people say when someone dies, that actually makes the person feel worse. (Like "She’s/he’s in a better place.” “Cheer up. Your [loved one who died] wouldn’t want you to be sad.")

So I said, “You have this incredible gift of brightening people’s day, please keep doing it. You are making a difference.”

Then I noticed her name tag had “Employee of the Month.” I pointed to it. “You have that for a reason, keep it up.” She smiled proudly.

I’m not even sure where I’m going with this, but I was thinking about writing a blog post about attitude, and how every day is a gift.

And how by having feelings of gratitude, and a genuine interest in others we will enrich the lives of everyone around us, and ours as a fringe benefit.

Everyone has something going on in their world. Sometimes we need to slow down, pull our head out of our devices, take interest, listen, and connect human-to human.

Everyone benefits.


Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach and Trainer

petercmclees@gmail.com

Mobile: 323-854-1713

P. S. Smart Development  has an exceptional track record helping ports, restaurants, stores, branches, distribution centers,  sales teams, food production facilities, nonprofits, government agencies, and other businesses create a strong culture, leadership bench strength and the teamwork necessary for growth. Having worked with several companies throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company achieve sustained growth and prosperity.

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