You know that feeling you get when you’ve bought something – the transaction was completed successfully, but you were treated like a nuisance for buying something from them? It’s not a great feeling. Although you have what you wanted to buy, you’re not sure you would ever buy from them again. The Colonel said, “Kiddo, you can offer a service, or you can be willing to serve. There’s a difference. Oh, you might get paid for both, but only one is actual service, and only one will build significance.”
When I was a little girl, Dad and I would often take Sunday afternoon walks on base. Sometimes we’d stop at the ice cream counter in the BX for ice cream cones. The teens behind the counter, wearing their crisp blue uniform hats, looked so grown-up to me.
One day, as the young lady serving us handed me my favorite flavor (mint chocolate chip), Dad cautioned me to keep it level, so it didn’t tip over too far. Of course, I was not paying attention, and before I knew it, the top scoop of my ice cream cone seemed to jump off and dive for the black and white checkered floor. I immediately dissolved into tears. I was certain Dad would be mad at me. He had told me to pay attention. He’d paid for that ice cream. I had wasted it and made a mess on the floor.
The bright-eyed teenager behind the register jumped into action, darting out in front of the counter and apologizing. She quickly cleaned up the sloppy green mess, all the while trying to comfort me and assure me it was her fault. She explained that she hadn’t pressed the top scoop down strongly enough. Then she ran back around the case and prepared an extra-large double scoop for me. “No charge,” she told Dad. Dad smiled, tipped the girl, and made sure to mention her kindness to the manager (leaving out the free ice cream just in case it would get her in trouble).
That teenager grasped the essence of being willing to serve. Not only did she make a little girl happy, but she also solidified that we would always come back to that special ice cream shop. Although I have no way of knowing, I choose to believe that she is leading a major corporation now. I know I will never forget her.
Don’t just offer a service to get paid. Choose to be of service. That is where significance begins.
Read Lauren’s Whitepaper on The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership.