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How do you incorporate service into every day?
posted 02/03/2009, 12:40PM new!
I've spent a good portion of the past 20 years deciphering just what service is. As a management consultant, I’ve trained tens of thousands of employees on how to be customer focused; I’ve developed big-scale strategic plans for service improvement within Fortune 500 companies, and I’ve even written a few books on the topic.
But lately, in light of President Obama's call for us--the citizens of the United States of America--to pick up the mantel of volunteerism and community contribution, I've been thinking about service in a new light. Yes we can – gift our time and money to worthy causes, involve ourselves in important matters of public policy, and join our neighbors in helping to make our society a better place. All of these are worthwhile, important and inspiring pledges of national support. But it seems to me that we can also be of service in small ways every day.
Here are a few that work as well in the lunchroom as they do on the soccer field.
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Karen Leland is the author of Time Management In an Instant: 60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day
and Watercooler Wisdom: How Smart People Prosper in the Face of Conflict, Pressure, & Change.
She writes for The Huffington Post and Examiner.com and is the co-founder of Sterling Consulting Group. You may e-mail Karen at kleland@scgtraining.com.
But lately, in light of President Obama's call for us--the citizens of the United States of America--to pick up the mantel of volunteerism and community contribution, I've been thinking about service in a new light. Yes we can – gift our time and money to worthy causes, involve ourselves in important matters of public policy, and join our neighbors in helping to make our society a better place. All of these are worthwhile, important and inspiring pledges of national support. But it seems to me that we can also be of service in small ways every day.
Here are a few that work as well in the lunchroom as they do on the soccer field.
- Create a climate of appreciation
There is nothing so motivating for friends, family, coworkers and the people who provide service as receiving the gift of a good compliment. An appreciation that goes beyond the generic "good job"--and lets the other person know exactly what they did right and the quality they contributed — is an aspect of everyday service worth mastering. Ask yourself: What opportunity do I have today to recognize someone specifically for something they did well? - Take the extra step
Initiative is defined as "the ability or attitude required to begin or initiate something without being prompted." It’s going the extra mile and taking the extra step for a co-worker, a neighbor, a spouse or a stranger. Ask yourself: What opportunity do I have today to go beyond for someone and make his or her life a little bit better? - Redefine service
So many people see service in a one-dimensional way--simply provide what the organization or person asks for. But true service goes beyond this definition and encompasses the needs that can be seen (kindness, compassion, flexibility, tolerance, fairness), but are often unspoken. Ask yourself: What opportunity do I have today to see what someone needs and provide it to the best of my ability?
| I believe that by practicing simple acts of service every day, with our neighbors, friends, families, communities and those around us, we will build the type of America that we can all be proud to be a part of. How do you incorporate service into every day? |
Karen Leland is the author of Time Management In an Instant: 60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day
and Watercooler Wisdom: How Smart People Prosper in the Face of Conflict, Pressure, & Change.
She writes for The Huffington Post and Examiner.com and is the co-founder of Sterling Consulting Group. You may e-mail Karen at kleland@scgtraining.com.
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