Reputation COUNTS

I belong to several nonprofits where volunteers provide the manpower for the organization.  Let me say upfront that I am a champion of volunteers and all the wonderful things they accomplish. 

That  said, I want to air a grievance:

If you agree to do something, please do it. 

This also means:

• Not calling at the last minute to say something has come up and you can’t be there. 
• If you are sick, send a report about what you were tasked to do so the organization can move forward.
• When the chairman or others in the group sends you an e-mail, respond in a timely manner, even if you don’t have the requested information yet.
• Come to meetings on time so everybody else’s time is not wasted.

If you break these rules too often, you get a reputation as one who can’t be trusted.  That perception is so hard to overcome.  And these rules not only apply to nonprofits.  They are true in any workplace and in life.

Tags: reputation by Marcia Hall
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Last week I went for a blood test.  Because I had to fast the night before, I went to the lab early the next  morning.

There were three phlebotomists drawing blood.  The body language of one of the women, which included a frown, led me to conclude she has not happy to be there.  I wondered what I would say to a person so seemingly unfriendly.  Then she called my name.

The first thing she volunteered was that the people in the office did not appreciate her coming in that morning, particularly on such short notice.  She was filling in for another technician, and told me that a relative was very sick so it was hard for her to be at work.

Seeing that she was distraught, I said that I appreciated her helping me and that I hoped her problems would be resolved quickly.  I listened as she told me about other concerns, such as the financial difficulties in her household.

As I was leaving, I thanked her again.  I saw just a hint of a smile.  It made me feel good to show gratitude.  I hoped it helped her too.

Tags: gratitude by Marcia Hall
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