I was visiting Charlotte, NC last weekend. I went into a Bed, Bath and Beyond store to look for a specific type of ice cream deeper, and was not having success finding it. Without having to ask, an employee asked what I was looking for, and when he could not see it either, went to the back and was able to locate a pair of them. Then, noticing I had a nearly full basket told me he was going to get a cart for me so it would be easier to carry my things. That was extraordinary service!
I was recently providing some dialogue training for an organization. I watched one of the members of the management team stop as we passed by a cubicle and give a word of thanks and praise to an employee that had stayed after hours the day before to solve a problem. He then gave him a Starbucks gift card. Extraordinary.
I was at a restaurant with my husband. I asked for some specific treatment to the dish I ordered. The waiter not only assured me it could be done, but came back after placing the order to let me know the cook had said it was ok and he would do what I wanted. It was unexpected and extraordinary.
In the English language, only five letters separate “ordinary” from “extraordinary:” extra. “Extra” can be defined as “outside,” but in English it also means “just a little bit more.” Whether you care about the use of the word or not, the idea is important: The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little extra you give. It means consciously choosing not to be ordinary.
What if your leadership could become extraordinary with only small changes? Would it be worth trying? Here are some small “extras” that can help you close the gap between ordinary and extraordinary:
A minor extra effort. . .
- asking a couple of extra questions to understand an issue better.
- making the effort to notice and express thanks for a job well done.
- going out of your normal way to greet a new employee.
- doing a task that is someone else’s “job” because you felt the other person needed the extra time.
A little extra time. . .
- to reflect on what went right or wrong on your day.
- to work a few minutes on a personal development issue.
- to take a break to relax and be able to keep your emotions stable.
- to involve others in finding a better solution.
A small extra help. . .
- making a small suggestion to a person stuck on a problem.
- bringing an extra cup of coffee to your colleague.
- giving the afternoon off to your secretary with a sick child.
- shifting people around to bring extra help to a busy spot.
Remember. . .
Ordinary and extraordinary are not too far apart. Being outside yourself and noticing the needs of others will make you extraordinary. If you accomplish some of the above “extras,” your leadership will begin to be extraordinary in some way.
Take every chance you can to be extraordinary!
Photo by: Goldmund100