I travel a lot so here is another travel story and an example of how outstanding employees can make your customer's day…After attending an exciting meeting with my colleagues, I headed off to DFW Airport. 

Time was tight and my whole disposition changed as I thought about having to go through airport security.  Though I am used to flying a lot I still cringe at the thought of having to take off my shoe and walk on the filthy ground through airport security along with being harassed because I have a half empty 3 ounce bottle of contact lens fluid, and depending on the mood of the security officer, will have to check my bag. (I never check my luggage, and yes, I know about the 2 oz rule).  So, all of this along with not much time to catch my flight, my stress level rose just getting to the airport. 

Got to the line for security and was greeted by the most pleasant lady ever!  Glady's Jones, a 60 year old Grandma with a beehive hairdo and a big smile greeted me and all the other harried business travelers by taking our IDs and telling us how attractive we are.  This woman took the time to compliment each of us about SOMETHING!  "You have such beautiful eyes", "You look like Brad Pitt", "That's a great picture of you", "You have a great smile", "Your hairstyle is the bomb", etc.  She also had a little bowl of candy with a smiley face that said "Take 1 and Have a Nice Day."

Talk about pattern-interrupt!  This lady managed to MAKE OUR DAY by smiling, complimenting us, and connecting with us as human beings - though briefly.  She managed to put a smile on everyone's face and make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.  I of course had to stop and compliment her on what she was doing. 

She told me that smiles cost nothing and that she feels great connecting to so many travelers by just being warm and pleasant to the hundreds of people coming through her line everyday.  She said that regular travelers go out of their way to get into HER LINE to get small compliments from her and "feel the love".  I observed that even the grumpiest countenance turned pleasant after being greeted by this security lady.  Wow, the power of the human touch, a kind word, and making a personal connection.  I can tell you that I floated through the X-ray machine and was in a happy mood for the rest of the day after interacting with her.  And frankly, I will be looking to join HER LINE the next time I go through DFW Airport.

Lesson learned here is that we all must consider the disposition and attitude of the folks we put on the front lines to interact with our customers and clients, in person or by phone.  This person controls the perception people have of your business and even whether or not prospects or clients will return to your business or call on you again!