If you’re doing it right, you’re smiling

A blog post written by motivational speaker, Marilyn Sherman 

There I was ordering deli meats from a counter inside a grocery store on a recent road trip. Mister McScrooge was doing everything right – offering us samples, slicing our requests to our satisfaction, asking if there was anything else he could do for us. I looked at my husband, wondering what was wrong with this transaction? There was something missing. Then it hit me.

His smile. 

 

He didn’t smile one time! As a motivational speaker by trade, I couldn’t let this go. So I started making comments like 'Thank you very much.  Awesome.  Appreciate it.'  To no avail. No smile. Nothing.

 

Then, as he was wrapping up our final order, a co-worker walked by with a pan fresh out of the oven with a warning; “Hot stuff…hot stuff”. To which Mister McScrooge turned into Mister McSmooth and quietly responded, “Why yes. Yes I am.”

Ha! It was so subtle and so funny! To which I replied, ‘Oh you are, are you?’

And there it was…a huge grin! One of those ‘oh I got caught’ grins! His whole face lit up! He even, dare I say it, laughed! I wondered where was THAT smile when we walked up to his counter?

I don't know what the message is to this post exactly. Is it the importance of a smile? Is it the insistence to hang in there and find a way to make someone else smile? Is it to be more aware of how important human interaction is when serving others? I don't know. But what I do know is that when I saw that smile on the worker as I walked away, it put a smile on my face and it made my day.

From your happy to be smiling today motivational speaker, Marilyn Sherman

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Want Marilyn Sherman to have the same effect to your group? To learn more, check out Marilyn's website: www.marilynsherman.com. To hear more about Marilyn's customized presentations, check her availability or fees - contact Sarah at Standard Ovation: sarah@thestandardovation.com or 913.498.9775 or you can contact us through the web. Thank you!

Ready to become #1 on purpose?

Michael Hoffman: mastering tornadoes, igniting performance and helping organizations become #1 on purpose since 1993. View email in your browser.   Michael Hoffman just spoke at the 2014 Million Dollar Round Table [MDRT] Experience Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He delivered a dynamic keynote full of energy - creating an excitement and buzz around his message (even while eleven languages were being translated simultaneously). Michael's programs are filled with customized ideas and strategies to create stronger internal cultures. This type of collaboration results in better products, top-notch service, and an unforgettable external experience. Michael strives for organizations (employees AND leaders) to become #1 ON PURPOSE. Michael presents impactful content in a humorous way, engaging audiences to their full attention. Because of the contagious atmosphere Michael creates, clients consistently ask him back to energize their people with more of the Hoffman Experience. Michael is stellar at motivating and recharging organizations and is a master for creating long-term results. You can catch a glimpse of The Hoffman Experience here: http://goo.gl/bCq9Xl; or a few demo videos of Michael speaking here: http://goo.gl/JF45om.   CONTACT: Sarah Whitten: 913.498.9775 | sarah@thestandardovation.com Michael's Programs Michael's Demo Video Michael's Testimonials Michael's Biography For Speaker Fees, Availability & Bookings - Contact Sarah directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOPICS: communication, customer service, humorist, leadership, motivation, sales, retail Michael provides the tools on how become #1 on purpose. Michael addresses issues your organization may be struggling with (or challenges you want to overcome), and provides an altering mind-set. He provides implementable tactics [both internally and externally] to get your employees & leaders more engaged AND customers feel like they are #1. Michael provides strategies on how to start with your organization's culture in order to create success.  Michael delivers keynotes, workshops, half-day & full-day training sessions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael travels from Dallas, Texas ​ Michael Hoffman is proudly managed by Standard Ovation | www.thestandardovation.com | 913.498.9772

How do YOU handle mean people?

A blog post written by motivational speaker, Marilyn Sherman 

 

They are everywhere, aren't they? People who are snappy, short-tempered, rude, and just plain mean. In a perfect world, everyone would be nice, kind, patient, and good listeners. But, we obviously don't live in a perfect world. So, how do you handle the mean ones? Before I give you some suggestions on how to handle the mean people out there, let me share with you one thing that my brilliant husband told me about mean people. Yves doesn't have a mean bone in his body, so I loved his answer on this topic. He said that mean people are in pain. When I remember that one point, I can handle the mean people of the world much better. With that, here are three ideas that work for me.

1. Stop. Don't react. Don't feed into their meanness with retaliation, revenge, or fighting words. Just stop. For one second, imagine that they are not like this all the time – maybe something horrible has just happened to them and you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

2. Respond with love. I know, I know, this one is so positive-Polly. But, it's a universal truth that love can concur so much more than hate. So, respond with love. Maybe it's an understanding nod, a warm comment, a silent prayer that their day gets better. Even an acknowledgement could be in order here – 'Wow – you must be having a pretty rough day'. Sometimes, a loving word or comment can get the meanest person to melt their frozen heart. I can't guarantee it works every time, but try it!

3. Make something up about their childhood. I know this one sounds crazy, but it works. When I speak on conflict-resolution and dealing with difficult people, I offer to my audiences that when all else fails, and people are still difficult, then make something up! The more crazy and horrific, the better. That way, you don't have to go toe-to-toe with the mean person, you can just silently feel sorry for the horrible way they were raised and suddenly you feel so grateful that you have class, manners, and hope for more kindness in the world.

Then, walk away.

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Want Marilyn Sherman to have the same effect to your group? To learn more, check out Marilyn's website: www.marilynsherman.com. To hear more about Marilyn's customized presentations, check her availability or fees - contact Sarah at Standard Ovation: sarah@thestandardovation.com or 913.498.9775 or you can contact us through the web. Thank you!