Err on the side of generosity

(A-Z Challenge: G)

I worked as a massage therapist at a small day spa a few years ago. One morning we all staggered in, sullen at being forced into an 8 a.m. staff meeting. The owner, Joni, greeted us with coffee and pastries, and we got down to the usual business: who's going on vacation, what training we need to schedule, and let's all make sure we're keeping the bathroom clean.

Then she got real with us, and laid down the unwritten rules of the spa. The ones that really mattered to the business, and to her.

1. No negative talk about clients or other employees, ever. Yes, even the venting you were doing in whispers in the back room or over drinks after closing. It changes the vibe of the place, and it changes the vibe we carry. We never know the whole story of what someone is is going through, and it's none of our business. We're here to serve without judgment.

2. No one stops until the job is done. That means that at the end of the day, you don't get to wipe a counter, straighten a pillow, and then leave. Everyone stays until everything is clean, stocked and ready for the next morning. This is what it means to be a team.

3. When in doubt, err on the side of generosity. If there's one more thing you think of that you could do for a client, do it. If there's ever a misunderstanding, give them the benefit of the doubt. If we are acting from a place of generosity, she will back our decisions, always.

It's been that last point that has come to mind so many times since then. How many times throughout the day is there that little micro decision that seems so inconsequential but could be approached with just a tad more generosity? It's so easy to get caught up in "well it's my right to do it my way" when really, does it matter? Or could we let go just a teeny bit and be more flexible? We have a lot more opportunities to show small, unseen generosities than the big, obvious ones. 

My personal favorite is when I offer to do something for someone and then manage to slide in a little comment to innocently bring it to their attention that this was generous. "I'd be happy to help tonight. Well, I only have a few minutes between work and dinner and getting the kids to bed, but I guess they can eat cereal for dinner just for tonight and I'll figure something out for later. I mean, it's still totally okay and everything. I'll see you then!"

Sometimes it takes more generosity to keep my mouth shut about my effort than to do the generous act in the first place.

It's double the effort, but double the reward as well. Go do a random generous act today without calling attention to the fact that you did it. I dare you.