The Waiter
If you’ve been reading these emails for a while, you know how much I value great customer service—and I imagine you do too.
Recently, we were seated outside at a restaurant that came highly recommended. We placed our order for drinks and appetizers... and then waited. And waited. And waited. Nearly an hour passed with no food and no beverages in sight. From my seat, I had a clear view of the staff, including our waiter, as they scrambled to manage a busy, understaffed evening.
To his credit, our server recognized the situation and did everything he could to make it right:
He apologized and took responsibility, even though the issue was outside of his control.
He communicated with us, explaining the delay and checking in with updates.
He took initiative, reminding the staff and even heading to the back multiple times to check on our order.
He escalated the issue, getting his manager involved (at which point our drinks quickly arrived).
And finally, he made it right, offering to comp our appetizers for the long wait.
What stood out to me was not just what he did, but how he did it. His attitude, effort, and determination to fix the problem made all the difference. It reminded me that in relationships—both personal and professional—effort matters.
What if we approached our relationships the same way this server approached his job? What if we took ownership when things go wrong, communicated with care, and kept showing up even when the situation feels out of our control?
What if we looked for solutions instead of assigning blame?
Relationships that become stagnant will not last. Our waiter reminded me how important it is to stay engaged, take initiative, and act with empathy, even when we face uncertainty.
Choose to actively engage in those relationships that are important, and you will make a difference.
—Larry
Check out our latest episode of the RelationShifts Podcast:
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