A Culture of Service Excellence

I often ask in my workshops, "how many of you have children at home?" Then I say, "look at these raised hands... these are brain damaged people." I always get a good laugh off this comment and add that I have two children (18,15) and I am severely brain damaged myself.

Do kids do what you ask them to or do they follow your example? Someone said it this way: do kids do what's taught or what's caught? Children follow our example more than our instruction.

Albert Schweitzer is correct, "leadership is example."  The most powerful way you create a culture of passionate customer service is to model it as leaders. How do you treat employees?

How do you set an example of service to your staff?

Here's a great list by Charles R Swindoll (with a few additions of my own) of ways to be good to your employees:

• Keep your promises
• Pay a fair wage
• Provide necessary benefits
• Have a heart -- show compassion
• Give affirmation and encouragement daily
• Be tough but not mean
• Whenever possible, promote from within
• Tell the truth
• Avoid prejudice and preferential treatment
• Provide a safe environment that's clean and encouraging
• Maintain confidentiality
• Keep your attitude positive and helpful
• When things go wrong, refuse to blame others -- take personal responsibility

Treat your employees like gold and you will begin to see a culture of service excellence!