Go Ahead.....Take it! I Dare You

12/17/10

I suspect you’ve done it.  Taken a decision that isn’t yours to take.  It’s both disconcerting and invigorating all at the same time.  I was at a small holiday dinner last night and was reminded of a situation that happened to me a few years ago where I was the beneficiary of someone doing just that.

I had invited a few people to my favorite steakhouse in all the world (Del Frisco’s at 49^th and 6^th in Manhattan).  Of course, I had been there many times, but it was the first time for my three guests.  Everything started out perfectly – great table, service was attentive; the anticipation of great food; all the elements for a wonderful evening.  The appetizers were perfect – oysters and world famous crab cakes, along with a great bottle of wine.  Unfortunately – that is where the evening took a turn for the worse.  The entrée orders were messed up.  No big deal – easy to fix.  But…..guess what?  It was messed up for a second time.  When I asked to see the Service Manager, I calmly explained what had happened and fully expected him to do what he was authorized to do: buy us a drink and ‘comp’ us dessert.  But he didn’t do that.  He stepped outside his bounds of authority.  He told me that he could imagine how embarrassed I was, and that he would really appreciate it if we could do a complete do-over.  He ‘comped’ us the entire meal, wine – everything; and asked us to please come back soon.

You see – too many times in our day to day lives, we are confronted with knowing what the right thing to do is, but we don’t have the authority or responsibility to make it happen (even though we have the ability).  And so many times (not always - to be sure), if we just did it, if we just made it happen, well – the results are remarkable and you really set yourself apart from the herd.

That’s what happens when you are willing and prepared to take responsibility rather than wait to be given responsibility; when you are willing and prepared to ask for forgiveness rather than wait for permission.

I have been back to that steakhouse many times, with many people, since the evening above – and the manager who took care of me is still there – and thriving.  For sure, he had to explain to his boss why he did what he did – but no matter, because he knew what the right thing to do was….

 

(see “A Million and One Ways to be One-in-a-Million”; Chapter3 – Luke…..Use the Force)