MattMunnell.com

Throwback Thursday – this is a post from my previous blog mattmunnell.blogspot.com from March 2014. I ran across it today and thought I would re-share…

This is post I saw on another blog at qbq.com that struck a chord.

Posted by John G. Miller
(from http://qbq.com/young-man-please-step-away-from-the-wall/#more-7426)

“Young man, please step away from the wall!”

The college-age employee turned, looked at me, and then—beaming slightly—stepped back from his work.

Aiming my iPhone camera, I asked …

“So, did you know that along with making Venti, 8 pump, single shot, nonfat, extra caramel, extra hot, upside down caramel machiattos—you’d also be cleaning urinals?”

Brightly, he said, “Yes, sir! My sister worked here before me. I knew exactly what I’d be doing.”

Excellent attitude, I thought. No griping, whining, complaining, or bemoaning. He’s no victim. He’s happy to be employed.

When I finished (taking the picture, that is), he went back to  scrubbing.

No, wait, he wasn’t scrubbing, he was … polishing.

Yes, he was polishing the pipes!

This all took place a couple of weeks ago in the men’s room at the Starbucks of Dumont, Colorado, nestled in the Rocky mountains. I was in awe, but not just of the scenery outside.

I was in awe of this young man.

For those of us old enough to remember car phones (yes, I said car, not cell) who are convinced the work-mentality of young people today is more like “What do you mean I can’t take a two-week European vacation 90 days after starting here!?” than the attitude I saw in this fella, here’s the good news:

Pride still lives.

Pride—truly a multiple-meaning word. It can be negative, as in “pride goeth before a fall.” It can be humbling, as in “swallowing my pride.” And, written vertically, it can be instructive!

Personal

Responsibility

In

Doing

Excellence

——————

Ha ha, I like that … and not just because it fits the acrostic!

Doing Excellence.

People today often talk about “doing life.” That’s cool, but how about doing life in an excellent way?”

Food for thought:

Am I taking personal responsibility for the quality of my work?

Am I going the extra mile, giving 110%?

Am I modeling excellence for my kids, staff, colleagues, and/or customers?

I visited the Dumont Starbucks again this week. I didn’t need to use the bathroom, but I went into it anyway.

I wanted to see the urinal.

I was not disappointed.

I could see myself in the gleaming pipes!

And, I must admit I felt a twinge of pride because I’d met the person responsible for the excellent work in front of me—the work of a person who cares enough to polish the plumbing.

I want to be more like that.