Little Things Matter

Little Things       Matter

Little things, because they are so small, are often dismissed as insignificant. When it comes to working with people nothing could be further from the truth.

A people-person makes certain to know other’s names and uses it at least once each time they meet. “Jim, good to see you.” Also “missed you” at the social or meeting says that that person is important. Even a greeting smile provides warmth. All these little things create a welcoming atmosphere. 

Some little things may require a little more effort. Keeping in touch may involve taking time to phone or visit a friend, a colleague, or a family member regularly. Perhaps extending an invitation for coffee or beer or a game of pool or a card game opens the door for a closer relationship. The examples so far are designed to please another. 

Miss opportunities to do the little things, and it won’t be long before one notices that personal relationships are not there when you want them to be. Personal sharing is gone. Analysis about what caused a friendship to become merely an acquaintance may bring on feelings of quilt or regret, regret because the one you thought was close to you has turned their attention to others. You experience loss.

In the novels, Baggage burdens. and Helping Hands both these situations are illustrated. In the first novel Jill passes up a number of times to be out with her son and his father. To her surprise she finds Daniel, her son, prefers the company of his father. Considering that she intended to be the best mother ever she regrets her lack of attention to the little things her son enjoyed, like going out together to cut down a Christmas tree or playing board games. Her late efforts to correct the imbalance fail and result in tension between her and her son and her and her husband. 

In the second novel Bill, a psychologist and a company human resource officer and his son, a company mentor, both illustrate how being in touch with the little things in the lives of employees earns the worker’s loyalty to the company. Each attended to different little things but they all had to do with showing an awareness of what is going on in an employee’s life. These little public things like a son getting a driver license or scoring several goals in a hockey game showed that an employee is more than just a company resource. As a person they are valuable too.

 An Example

from  

Helping Hands

Daniel looks to Mark. “So, what exactly is it that you do?” asks Daniel as he bounces his son on his knee.

Grinning, oil worker Mark begins, “You could say I’m a floater. Wherever the company needs me, that’s where I go––set up, repairs, welding, drilling, even security. Many of our workers are young. Keeping them isn’t easy. Lately, as in the last four years, I’ve been training, actually mentoring would be more like it.”

“What’s the difference?” asks Daniel as he shifts Shawn to his other knee.

“Training is skill building. That’s relatively easy. Mentoring is working with new employees. I not only teach them skills, but I make a point of getting to know them and their families, help them see how the company helps them live a good life.”

“Sounds like that’s beyond your job description. Probably takes up a lot more time too.” 

“You’re right, Daniel. That’s exactly what my supervisor said too when he found out what I was up to. The thing is, the people who work with me have stayed with the company. They don’t quit.”

“How come?”

“Because when I learn what’s important to their family life, I always link the family goals with the company’s goals and their paychecks. Frequently, I know the wife and the children. I praise the father in their presence and talk to them about their family goals. Thanks to what I learn from the wife and the children, I’m able to motivate the men to work longer hours or tackle assignments they’d rather not.”

Haiku capsule:

How-are-you phone call.

You are important to me.

Little things matter.

  

Next Blog: 

Can You break a Promise