The fourth of our five pillars is Treat Every Customer And Their Vehicle With Respect.
The Thorndike-Barnhart dictionary defines respect as:
1. (n) Honor; esteem: show respect to those who are older
2. (n) Consideration; regard: show respect for other people’s property
3. (v) feel or show honor or esteem for: respect the President
4. (v) show consideration for: respect the feelings of others
In this we can see that respect is a (noun), and also what the action is a (verb).
As we hear the news, and look around us, we find this idea of respect being disregarded and even attacked. That being so, we have an opportunity to distinguish ourselves from others by showing respect for each and every customer and their vehicle. Customers will recognize this and respond favorably to it by wanting to return to do business with people who respect, honor and esteem them.
Respect is a character trait that is handed down from one generation to the next. It is a complex trait that is difficult to define. Generally the younger generations learn it by example of the preceding generations as well as being engaged in life lessons and being instructed in the right way and the wrong way to handle situations.
Being respectful goes beyond being nice. It goes beyond being polite. It goes beyond being courteous. All these are included, but there is far more to respect.
Respect includes valuing others. There is a sense of humility as the basis for respect. Valuing others more highly than ourselves causes respect. I am not speaking of belittling yourself. But, looking upon others with value. There is a reciprocal effect to respecting and valuing others. As more people develop this character trait the respect turns full circle and you will be respected in return.
Let’s take the above example from the dictionary. Regardless of your personal belief regarding any President of the United States, he deserves to be respected. He deserves to be honored and esteemed because of the office of President, but also because of his achievement. Very few people out of all the millions of Americans become The President.
Every customer, well in reality every person, deserves respect. We are all human beings created in the image of God and have worth and value.
A long standing adage in customer service is, “Treat them as you would treat your grandmother”. Most people respect their grandmothers. We honor and esteem them. We show consideration for them. Even when it is inconvenient for us. This adage is sound advice.
Let’s Pursue Great! by developing our character trait muscle of respect.