Once I was waiting for my mom outside the salon.
Like anyone, I started scrolling my smartphone to kill time (mom at the salon you can imagine).
Out of nowhere, there's the sound of a serious altercation.
On looking up, I see a muscular bald guy with tattoos on every visible part of his body berating a security guard.
Intrigued by what was unfolding, I decided to move closer to the focus point to make a better-informed judgment (I am a curious soul).
Turns out, that the guard had a quibble with one of the customers who parked his car at the wrong spot.
The customer complained to the owner (the bald guy) adamantly justifying he did nothing wrong.
While the guard did his best to explain that the car was parked at the wrong spot that may lead to a traffic jam, the bald guy wasn’t convinced.
His objection was how could he be rude to a customer.
This went on for a few moments.
A couple of other guards stood next to the accused in support. Our guard tribe wasn’t going to budge.
He didn’t do anything wrong and had every right to justify his stand.
Like you, I was rooting for the Team Guard.
And when you think logic would prevail, the truth will win, a diligent worker will be rewarded for his work, you discover that isn’t always the case.
Life doesn’t work that way.
The bald guy suddenly exploded just like a judge on a reality show. He began cursing all the employees who caught his eye.
Even the customer whom he was defending was petrified.
I shifted back a little afraid to be drawn into the firing range.
The gist of his speech was that the customer is king.
Their money provides us with 2 meals daily for which we should be grateful. No matter what, we can never ever go against them.
The guards lost, realizing rationality wasn’t a strong point of their employer they surrendered.
The customer went in along with the bald guy with a pompous smile.
And the bald guy suddenly looks me in the eye and asks if the guards misbehaved with me too. I politely said No Sir (trying my best not to cry).
Everything went back to normal.
While sitting in the car I began to ponder on what had just unfolded.
Yes, the customer is king, you shouldn’t disrespect him but at the same time, the employees are the heart and soul of your business.
You have to defend them, especially, when they have a fair point.
They should feel that someone has got their back. That’s when they will perform their best.
Having top-rated employees is way better than having second-rated customers.
“CLIENTS DO NOT COME FIRST. EMPLOYEES COME FIRST. IF YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES, THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE CLIENTS.”
–RICHARD BRANSON
Happy Sunday :)