9 free things we can do to solidify our career

Posted: April 3, 2025 | Categories: Customer service, Leadership, Sales

Several years ago, I worked with someone who displayed one of the best collections of interpersonal skills traits I can recall.  Her name was Jane, and once she made a statement I will never forget.  She said, “I’ve worked for five different companies in the last 20 years and I have not moved from this chair.”  You see, Jane’s company had been merged or acquired 5 times, and each time the new company insisted Jane remained.  She was a receptionist – the first and last impression of her company.  Why was she so popular?  I think I know.  Here are some of the traits I observed in her over the years:

Positive:  When we complain, we are a burden.  If we down-mouth others, we lose respect.  Jane exhibited rule #1: Be a person others want to be around.

Show genuine interest:  She knew and remembered birthdays, sporting events, anniversaries, and vacations.  She was sincere and got others talking about their favorite subject – themselves.

Politics:  She avoided this category, and I suspect she also avoided rattlesnakes!

Appreciation:  She always remembered to say thank you.

Remembering names: She gave full effort to learning and remembering people’s names.  She made others feel special.

Smile:  She had an infectious smile, and a perpetual twinkle in her eye.  People found her easy to approach.

Listened:  She listened to understand.

Eager to help:  She was continually looking for ways to help others.

Humble:  She was humble. If she made a mistake, she quickly admitted it with no excuses or blame.

There you go.  These are some of the main qualities Jane possessed.  We can have them too.  They are simply habits!