Most of us have heard the movie line from Clint Eastwood, “Go ahead, make my day.” Of course, in the context of the movie, Sudden Impact, Clint’s character was pointing a gun directly at the bad guy’s head when he uttered the now-famous words. But what if we take the concept out of the context of the movies and bring it to the real world. When was the last time you made someone’s day? When did you do something unexpected that really made someone smile and say, “Wow!”
I decided to seize the opportunity last week. It was my last day after a two-month stay in Southern California. During that time, I had spent an inordinate amount of time in a local Starbucks. It was a great place to hangout and do a bit of work. I became a regular and observed the staff first-hand interacting with customers on a daily basis. What struck me over and over was how the entire team went above and beyond what I have experienced at other coffee shops and other Starbucks for that matter.
I decided that instead of just “thinking” it, I wanted to do more. So I decided to write a letter to the baristas. It was a two-pager that noted all the special things I had observed that made this particular store head and shoulders above others. And it was all related to how the team engaged, served and interacted with their customers. After writing the letter, I slipped it into an envelope with some money and put it in the tip jar on the counter.
And then I finished what I started. I ordered my Grande Green Zen Iced Tea (unsweetened) to-go and went to the pick-up station where Joey was working. While all of the baristas were amazing; Joey was a star among them. It was impossible to interact with him and not end up with a big smile on your face. So Joey got his own envelope with a note that said, “Joey, because you are so awesome!” Enclosed was enough money to make his day.
I handed him the sealed envelope, thanked him for being Joey and walked out of the store. I have to think that I made Joey’s day. But Joey had actually been making mine better for months. I drove out of town with a big smile on my face. Thanks Joey!
What can you do to make someone’s day?
