I recently spent 3 full days with a friend of a friend. It was the first time we met and he introduced me to 2 potential clients and 4 colleagues that could introduce me to 3 more client. He is a successful leader of a major consulting firm, and he took me to dinner each night, in addition to paying for our lunch meetings, He arranged for transportation in two different cities and took care of all of my arrangements apart from my hotel. He demonstrated nothing but kindness and generosity.
And what does he get for my visit? Nothing, but the gratitude of helping a friend of a friend and supporting his client with a service he doesn’t offer. As he repeatedly said during my visit, If you can gain the business and help my customers, then I have the gratification of true customer service where there is no compensation for me. I just know that I was of service with no strings attached.
He is my role model for success. He understands how giving and being of service comes back with so many rewards. The first reward is the gratification that comes with being a help to others even if nothing comes from it. The second reward comes from the witnessing client satisfaction when we are hired and provide a service that is truly assists his client. The third is building the trust with his clients that buying his service not only comes with fair trade of pay for service, but also comes with the added benefit of someone who has your back, who truly cares for you and who goes out of their way to be of service and support.
I might add that taking me to dinners and introducing me to his clients didn’t happen without a cost (besides financial) to my new friend. He didn’t get to see his family, which made them sad. He didn’t have as much time to prepare for his next trip coming up in a few days resulting in more pressure. And, he didn’t he didn’t get much sleep since our dinners went late and our meetings started early. He gave of himself to support his client and friend without changing his mind because of the lack of convenience.
- Who’s life are you currently supporting or helping to grow without gain to you except personal gratification?
- How can you give more to your colleagues, family or employees to model and set up a giving environment that is based on serving others?
- What are the “inconveniences” that become an excuse or roadblock to you being of greater service to others?
What commitment are you wiling to make to reach out to others to be of service?
Please comment and share.
Warmly,
Mark