The pandemic that is currently deteriorating economies globally is causing businesses to take a hard look at why they do what they do. I feel that the businesses that add value will be able to weather this storm. I believe we will see businesses that are not making “win-win” sales, let’s call them greedy (i.e. they win, customers lose), are going to dry up quickly. Note: There are some businesses that fall-in the “win/lose” category which have become too powerful to die, that’s a scary thought.
Why are the greedy ones going to dry up? Due to the unemployment rates skyrocketing consumers and businesses alike are now faced with looking at their finances on a granular level. It seems that necessities will trump luxuries for the next few years and I hope that many individuals are making wiser decisions when it comes to purchasing on credit versus waiting until they have the funds to buy in cash.
With all of this said, I have been challenged by a friend to read through the book “Every Job is a Sales Job: How to Use the Art of Selling to Win at Work” by Dr. Cindy McGovern.
The first “aha” moment in the book for me, after a lot of introduction, was her statement “Kindness sells.” She discusses a few stories along the lines of:
A Chick-fil-A opened on a Sunday just so a 14-year-old boy could fulfill his dream of working at a drive-through. The store’s manager let the child, who has autism and cerebral palsy, hand out cookies to friends and family during his “shift.”
That’s where I feel like the whole purpose of this book becomes evident. If I could summarize the entire book in one sentence, one question, it would be this: “What do you do at work to create a moment that matters for someone?”
To survive the pandemic, to survive 2020 in general, I believe the companies that create moments that matter – those are the companies that survive. Something like that requires an incredible team, but you can’t just have an incredible team, you need an incredible leader that embodies that ‘kindness.’
So, to all the leaders, C-Suites, executives, and managers – how are you leading your teams? Do you see the individual in front of you? I know of many who are hurting right now, your employees are probably hurting. I know of many who are anxious at the moment, your employees are probably anxious. Beyond that, you are probably hurting and anxious as well. If you are, contact me – I’m here for you. I want to see you able to stand as the leader you are and incite courage in those who follow you.
Move in kindness. Move others to do the same.
