I’ve spent a lot of time working for tips.
Throughout my life, I’ve been a waiter, cleaned toliets, and even had to fly around the USA for Snapchat throwing parties and events.
Sometimes we had fun, and sometimes the days were grueling, and we couldn’t wait for it to be over.
If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that people want connection.
Having an event in Los Angeles for Snap.
I’ve met and worked with people all over the world now, and it doesn’t matter what the job is – software engineering, waiting tables, or being an owner/operator – it’s always the same set of questions:
+ Can I count on this person?
+ Is this person trustworthy?
+ Will they be someone I can depend on?
The daily commute in New Zealand as an immigrant Software Engineer.
Things don’t always have to be perfect. Sometimes when they are not, it’s better, because it leads the way to an opportunity.
When I was younger, I looked up to a manager who ran a small restaurant in the suburbs of OC. The restaurant primarily employed young college students, and due to its location, the customers were typically in their 80s.
Peggy was a regular, and one day she came in for pea soup.
The waitress brought the pea soup to Peggy and left Peggy alone.
When the bill arrived, Peggy waved down the manager, “This is unacceptable!”
Even though the waitress did do their job, it wasn’t what Peggy was really interested in.
Peggy had lost her husband a few years prior, and her children had grown up and moved away.
So, when the manager went over to Peggy, he brought her a cookie and sat down with her during the lunch rush, and asked her how her day was.
To win the customer back, all he had to do was connect.
Peggy was so delighted that there was someone else out there who was humane.
Peggy had plenty of money and could afford to eat out wherever she wanted and whenever she wanted, but she chose to come back to that place time and time again because she knew that manager was someone she could depend on.
Over the years, I’ve been associated with a vast array of people, and the issue is ubiquitous.
It’s not just about what we do, but how we connect with others.