No One is insignificant.
Have you ever felt like you were insignificant? I hope not. Have you ever treated anyone as if you considered them insignificant? I hope that is also a NO.
You do know the definition of “insignificant” don’t you? It means that something or someone is too small or too unimportant to have worth. Wow. Do you know what it looks like? IKR, IKR it’s a word. But words have meanings. And, what you think can translate into the words you speak; and the words you speak are acted out in your actions. If you have ever felt insignificant you can probably relate to actions by others that made you feel like you “lacked worth”. If your actions make others feel like they have little value or no value, here are some of the behaviors that either extend a sense of worth or diminish a sense of worth:
Do you give your full attention to someone who comes to you with a question?
Do you acknowledge a job well done (no matter how routine and basic)?
Are you known for your encouraging manner or for “fault finding”?
Do you engage with a smile and daily greeting, even the most entry level of your company?
When walking down the street, do you consciously make eye-contact and extend a smile to passersby?
Do you listen with your eyes and your ears?
(This space is for your addition of a behavior that exemplifies one or the other.)
It’s said that Jack Welch, CEO and Chairman of GE from 1981 to 2001, took part in the company executive development training programs. Mr. Welch challenged participants to see if they knew the name of the elevator operator. (Yes, once upon a time, elevators had people to operate them.) He paid very close attention, it’s said, to those who did and those who did not. (There’s a lesson in there. Did you get it?)
Your quick story lesson for the day: Once upon a time, (OK, OK I couldn’t help myself.) a lion and a mouse crossed paths one day purely by chance. The mouse asked, and asked the lion to not eat him. (Because that’s what lions did.) The mouse promised the lion that one day he would repay the favor. The lion decided to allow the mouse to go on its way. A few days later, the mouse came upon the same lion who was trapped in a rope net. The mouse, even though small and slight of build, (I stole that phrase. IKR.) began to gnaw at the ropes and finally the lion went free. (OK, this is the participation part.) Ready? What’s the lesson(s)?
Moral(s) ( More than one): First, no act of kindness is insignificant, nor wasted. Secondly, no one should be judged by their looks or position in your company. And, a distant third, who knows when the receptionist, the machine operator, the rookie might save your fisteris. (You’ll figure it out.)