So I learned a lesson today and wanted to share it...
We recently had a bit of a snafu with our room at the hotel we were staying in recently. I don't like to be a complainer, so I didn't make a big deal about it, other than to respond when the clerk chirped upon our checkout, "So was everything satisfactory?"
I mentioned the situation with our room, but he smiled with his autopilot reply of, "I'm sorry about that" and "Have a nice day!" but offered to do nothing more.
I dismissed the experience at that point.
Later I received an emailed auto survey from the hotel. I deleted it thinking I didn't get anywhere when I expressed it before. The next day they followed up with a second request for my feedback. So I took the time to be honest...
They quickly and apologetically responded with a comp for the room and an invitation to give them the opportunity again in the future - also stating that they were working on the situation with my room so that future guests won't share my same experience.
So, here's what I learned and I think it can be applied in ALL relationships:
BEING HONEST GIVES PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING. Sometimes we think it more polite to just smile and say everything is fine when it's not. When we do this, others are immediately robbed of growth opportunities and the chance to make things right.
We risk that our honesty will be met with denial or blame, but it's worth the risk. Sometimes it sinks in later....it may even take years...but start the ball rolling. Dont' speak from fickle emotions, be authentic always. It protects you from bitterness and resentment which is half the battle in bringing resolution. And at the end of the day, isn't that what we all want anyway?
Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy.
I mentioned the situation with our room, but he smiled with his autopilot reply of, "I'm sorry about that" and "Have a nice day!" but offered to do nothing more.
I dismissed the experience at that point.
Later I received an emailed auto survey from the hotel. I deleted it thinking I didn't get anywhere when I expressed it before. The next day they followed up with a second request for my feedback. So I took the time to be honest...
They quickly and apologetically responded with a comp for the room and an invitation to give them the opportunity again in the future - also stating that they were working on the situation with my room so that future guests won't share my same experience.
So, here's what I learned and I think it can be applied in ALL relationships:
BEING HONEST GIVES PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING. Sometimes we think it more polite to just smile and say everything is fine when it's not. When we do this, others are immediately robbed of growth opportunities and the chance to make things right.
We risk that our honesty will be met with denial or blame, but it's worth the risk. Sometimes it sinks in later....it may even take years...but start the ball rolling. Dont' speak from fickle emotions, be authentic always. It protects you from bitterness and resentment which is half the battle in bringing resolution. And at the end of the day, isn't that what we all want anyway?
Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy.
