“Something to Digest over the Weekend”
Have you noticed how some people stand out as being generous of spirit? They attract us by their big smile, can-do attitude and going the extra mile without any expectations of benefit.
It’s like receiving a gift just being in their presence.
Three examples come to mind…
The first is the Chinese couple who run the local laundromat where I get my shirts washed and pressed. They always greet me with “Hello Mr Geoff!” When I ask them for a quick turnaround their response is “our pleasure”. Recently I asked them to add $10 to the bill because they provided exceptional service. They replied: “Not Necessary Mr Geoff!’
The second example was the Auckland University student who last week found another student’s wallet (someone she didn’t know) and returned it to the owner with a wee note: “I know you will need this right now, particularly your ID card as it’s exam week. Here’s a $10 note to brighten your day.”
The third example relates to a corporate setting. I recently met the Regional Director of a major bank. He mentioned that when he took up his new role, it came to his attention that one of their largest clients had registered a very low level of ‘customer engagement’. After investigating the circumstances, he could see that his bank had massively let this important client down over a period of time. After considerable discussion within the bank, he met with the Managing Director of the client company, apologised and handed over a cheque – one which had a large string of ‘000’s.
To his great surprise, the MD called in his CFO and said, “it seems that the bank has finally acknowledged their shortcomings. Please take this cheque and deposit it in the account of Starship Hospital.” – This is in my view, is an example of UBER Generosity of Spirit.
Food for thought…
We can all take a leaf from the books of these generous spirits. Here are six tips to enhance your GoSQ – Generosity of Spirit Quotient:
1. Keep people in-the-loop – so that they feel ‘in’ on what’s going on.
2. Provide the Gift of Development – enabling others to flourish and shine.
3. Share your knowledge, experience and opportunities – you will receive it back with compounding interest.
4. Be ‘Present’ – while you are busy working on strategic stuff, its important to put aside time to be connected with the hearts as well as the minds of others.
5. Forgive – speak the ‘truth’ without holding a grudge.
6. Give anonymously and without expectation of reciprocity – you will get a real buzz by doing special things, even to those you don’t even know.
” You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
– KAHLIL GIBRAN
Hi Geoff todays message is profound and it gladdens my heart.