It’s surprising how easy it can be to WOW people. Yet, in the crush of our busy days we are focused on getting things done and checking off our to-do lists. As the day heats up we fire-fight, multi-task, prioritize, work through lunch, come in early, and stay late. And, in the process we usually do a good job on accuracy and product quality — and we can sometimes become blind to doing the little extras that could make the difference between satisfying and or wowing employees and/or customers.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the Wow experience. What have people done that has Wowed you? Have Wow experiences ever changed your attitude and behavior? How can you tell when you’ve Wowed someone else? What’s the impact of “Wow!” and is it worth taking time to create it?
About 20 years ago, I was engaged as a consultant with a new leadership team responsible for a new company made up of several recently merged manufacturing companies. The V.P. of H.R. was my principal client and I often received support from his assistant, a woman named Gail, a special woman who knew about the power of Wow. Gail showed us how investment in details can transform an effort from good to Wow. To this woman, it was simple: “Let’s make it nice.” This was Gail’s approach with people in general, in both her work and personal life. And, what a difference she made for people. The thing is, we can all make this difference – it’s all about creating the “Wow!” and it takes remarkably little time and effort.
Following are two typical situations where the “Wow!” is available to us, in the details.
Reward: Team Lunch
| Option A: Getting it Done | Option B: “Making it Nice” | Results |
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| Option B requires us to keep a supply of implements on hand, to remember to order salad or to coordinate ordering, and to take 5 minutes to set up. The personalized place mats can be produced on a computer and printed out, or can be made using blank Certificate forms with employee names hand written or printed, requiring another 5-10 minutes. Total extra time: about 15 minutes. Worth the impact? You decide. | ||
Set Up Summer Safety Hydrating Program For Plant Employees
| Option A: Getting it Done | Option B: “Making it Nice” | Results |
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| Option B requires placing a task in your calendar to start this project with enough lead time for the travel cups, to review the floor layout in advance and ensure enough tables are available for location of hydrating stations, to print out the flyers and to invite your Safety Representative allowing time for him to prepare. Worth the extra time? You decide. | ||
The value of wowing people is in how it makes them feel: important, cared about, and appreciated. It builds feelings of mutual good will. By making extra effort you’re leading by example. And, you’re building a Wow culture.
Please share your thoughts, opinions and experiences with “Wow”. What difference could you make as a leader at work with a little more focus on details, on ‘making it nice’, on creating the “Wow!”?
