Customer service stems from the behaviors that we foster in our corporations and businesses. Employees take their cues from the top, and as managers, we need to take responsibility for the environments we are creating. Employees learn by our example. We can’t expect our employees to serve our customers if we, as managers, are not willing to serve our employees.
One of my favorite quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt is this one:
[tweetthis]“It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.”[/tweetthis]
I love this quote especially as it applies to our workplaces. As a manager, when I think of how this might apply to my leadership style, I think of the following:
• Don’t ask an employee to work extra hours today on a project if I am not willing to work beside her to reach the deadline.
• Don’t ask an employee to handle a difficult customer if I am not also willing to reach out to that customer to smooth over a misunderstanding.
• Only ask an employee to give up their pay increase this year if I too am willing to take a cut in compensation.
• Don’t ask an employee to be on time for work if I am consistently late.
• Don’t ask an employee to be honest with me if I consistently withhold information that may impact them.
• And finally…don’t ask an employee to have compassion for my customers if I don’t.
When we roll up our sleeves as managers and work side-by-side with those who need our example and guidance, we only make life better for our customers.
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