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You've heard, and I've often said, "Don't sweat the small stuff." But I've decided that's not the best advice. It would be better said, "Don't sweat the insignificant," because sometimes the "small stuff" is significant...and we should sweat it.
Get it?
Most of you know that a few weeks ago I was looking to hire at least one more sales person. I solicited recommendations from you. (Thank you, by the way, for your response. I received a good number of potentials and did hire one.)
I also advertised on Monster, a regional newspaper and put word out to my LinkedIn contacts.
One response from LinkedIn caught my eye because of one phrase. Yep, just one phrase. And because of that one phrase I eliminated her from consideration. Call me crazy.
Direct quote from the response: I would be open to talking a bit more with you about what this position would be.
She would be open to talking with me? Open? It struck me as arrogant. Like she would give me an audience and if she liked what she heard she would consider gracing me with her brilliance. Not "I would be interested" or "I would be enthusiastic" or almost anything other than "I would be open."
Really? You'd be open? Don't do me any favors. One phrase and she didn't get a call from me.
Small stuff.
Recently, there was a change in leadership at a manufacturing plant I work with. In my one-on-one coaching sessions I asked each of the managers and supervisors what they thought of the new man in charge. One of the crusty old leads who'd been there for some thirty years gave me an answer I didn't expect. The conversation went something like this:
Lead: Well, the new guy used the bathroom right off the floor that the hands (employees) use.
Me (in all of my penetrating coaching brilliance): Umm...pardon?
Lead: In all the years__________ was here I never once saw him use the same bathroom the hands use. But this guy did.
Me: Really.
Lead: Yep. I like that.
You don't think the people that work for you notice everything you do? Did you know that you can send a message by the bathroom you use?
Small stuff.
I received a very kind response to last week's newsletter from Phil. Phil's note was quite complimentary, but he began it with this sentence: "I enjoy most of your articles." (Italics mine)
I don't really know Phil personally, but I had to tweak him in my response: "You enjoy 'most' of my articles? lol" I wrote with a wink. "I guess I can accept that."
Phil wrote me back: "Ha! Apparently, I need a lesson in being more polite. Perhaps I should have said, 'I enjoy your articles.'"
I shot him back a quick note: "Nope. I'd rather have honesty, than politeness."
Did you enjoy this one Phil?
One word.
Small stuff.
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