On Wednesday, December 5, 2018, America had a national day of mourning to mark the passing of George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States.
So much has been written about his life and legacy in the past few days, but one thing stood out to me, and I'd like to reflect on it here with you, if you'll allow it.
You've likely seen the letter that President Bush left for President Clinton as Oval Office changed hands. Just in case, here's what he wrote:
Dear Bill,
When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too.
I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.
There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I'm not a very good one to give advice; but just don't let the critics discourage you or push you off course.
You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well.
Your success now is our country's success. I am rooting hard for you.
Good Luck — George
Just imagine leaving a kind and gracious note for someone who has handed you the worst defeat of your professional life.
As Jay Baer might say, that's how you Hug Your Haters!
Shock and awe. Surprise and delight.
You've heard the phrases before: those that indicate we're astonishing someone with something unexpected. When we come out of left field and make someone feel special when they're least expecting it.
If done well (assuming people like certain surprises), it can drive brand loyalty and create a fanbase.
I was reminded of this when I witnessed all of the praise being heaped on George H.W. Bush following his death of Friday, referring to his decency and kindness. It's a little unnerving to think that decency and kindness are rare or out of the ordinary, but here we are.
We've seen it happen in the world of digital and social media as well.
- When someone receives a handwritten note when they're used to reading tweets and texts, that's a stand-out moment.
- When someone gets a phone call from the CEO when they're considering a rival brand, that's remarkable.
- When customer service makes someone feel like they're the only person in the world at the time, that's something that people will talk about.
But why make this the exception? Why not aim for making this a regular way of doing things?
The question is: can you scale it and make it happen again and again? That's the crux of the book Talk Triggers by Jay Baer and Daniel Lemin.
They identified four criteria that result in talk triggers, or built-in differentiators that create customer conversations: be remarkable, relevant, reasonable, and repeatable.
Because you need customers and employees to appreciate you for the culture and experiences you create on a regular basis, not the exceptional stand-alone efforts that are just stunts.
Once you get beyond the surprising, then you're just left with the delightful.
And isn't that what everyone wants?
Image credit: The Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David, 1784 (Wikipedia - public domain)
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It's kind of sad when we celebrate what should be accepted as normal, isn't it?
Like when people get excited about receiving praise or a handwritten note.
Or talk wistfully about a leader who treated people with kindness and compassion.
Why aren't we simply doing things that were once expected? That were once the price of existence? And doing them because they're the right thing to do – not because we want something.
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." – Mark Twain
Early in my career at Ford, I was at a conference in Paris, and I remember meeting someone for the first time with whom I had corresponded with online for a few years.
We chatted for about 10 minutes or so, and when we were done, I remember her remarking at how blown away she was that I put my phone away, gave her my undivided attention, and just listened to and talked with her.
While I was glad that we met and spoke, I was left with this feeling of melancholy: wistful that attention, consideration, and kindness were now considered exceptional rather than the norm.
The simple act of doing what's right is a powerful strategy.
What's within your power to change such that your customers, employees, colleagues and friends see you as a kind and decent person or brand, leaving them more gratified than astonished?
Image credit: Disillusionment by Edouard Hamman, 1851 (Wikimedia Commons, public domain)
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