Emulate Dixie’s Authentic Kindness

It was several years ago while I was in the fantastic city of St. Louis, Missouri. After being seated for lunch, the waiter made his initial approach to our table with a bit of an…attitude. He was *coldly polite* and acted as if he’d rather not be there at all. One could say he literally looked “pained” to even be there.

And, indeed, he literally was, as indicated by his pronounced limp as he walked away. So, when he came back, my friend and colleague Dixie Gillaspie — kind and thoughtful as she always is — acknowledged his obvious discomfort and asked what happened.

He explained that he’d been hit by a car and was in fact in extremely significant pain. We didn’t ask him why he was there at work or in any other way pry; we just let him know how badly we felt for him and that we’d try not to bother him too much with needless trips back and forth.

You wouldn’t believe (or, maybe you would) how polite, solicitous, and friendly he then became. In fact, he made so many trips over to check up on us that we had to try and keep from getting his attention.

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

Powerful: Dixie simply verbalized her concern and showed him she cared. Not only was she not offended by his attitude, but instead valued him enough as a human being to focus on *his* situation. Consequently, he went over and above in trying to please us.

No, we didn’t do it for that reason (i.e., to manipulate him into working harder for us); it was simply the result of such.

Indeed...

Key Point: As human beings, we have a need to know that people care about us. And, when people show us they care, even — perhaps especially — with no obligatory reason to, we will go out of our way to make them happy.

It’s just another of those “Laws of Life.”

Today’s Exercise: Think back to when someone has done that for you. Did you feel yourself change in your thoughts and feelings toward them? When you’ve done that for others, what were the results you noticed? I’m guessing it changed them, and that you felt pretty darned good yourself.

Genuine Influence: The Go-Giver Way

In an AI-driven world, human connection is your ultimate advantage.

If you’d like your team to sell more, lead better, and serve clients at a higher level — grounded in empathy and authentic influence — let’s talk about your next meeting or conference.

Feel welcome to visit burg.com, then call 561-575-2114 or email speaking@burg.com.