“Shine ’em up? How are you doing today?”
In my travels for work, I experienced numerous moments where I was pretty sure there was a helper by my side. It was a huge comfort and yet always ended up being a surprise for me when those events happened. Whenever I have the chance, I really enjoy complimenting the people along the way who help me or I can see make an impact on people day in and day out. If I can pass the compliment along via their boss or their spouse, so much the better! This gentleman was doing his daily work in Las Vegas, inside a casino, yet he took advantage of his spot to positively impact people again and again. I let his manager know in the letter that follows:
To the General Manager – Mirage Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV:
I just spent the past 36 hours in Las Vegas for an industry meeting, and I only had one night at The Mirage, but it was very pleasant and I thought I’d let you know. I’m the president of a small manufacturing company in Wisconsin. We employ 65 people in the organization and serve the dairy farming industry.
I’d like to tell you about a wonderful member of your staff whom I met yesterday. Due to the schedule I laid out for myself, I had to head for the airport in Milwaukee at 4 am and I planned to shave, change, and generally feel human after I arrived at The Mirage. After I checked in and changed, I noticed that my shoes were completely gruffy and not ready for two days of industry meetings. I asked downstairs, and one of your staff pointed me toward a shiny-tiled men’s room on the main floor, letting me know that there was a shoeshine stand there. I am mad at myself that I did not ask his name when I met the gentleman manning the stand. Perhaps if I describe him, you will be able to recognize him. He is probably in his late 60’s, and I learned that he grew up on a farm in Mississippi with 9 kids in his family. (I was also raised on a farm and had 15 siblings, so I immediately connected with this gentle man). He came to Vegas in 1963, and I learned about his having done the shoes and boots for Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra and other well-known folks. We shared our mutual appreciation for taking good care of nice shoes if you are able to own them, and how the values of taking good care of and connecting to people can really help him appreciate his work. He did an absolutely terrific job making my shoes presentable, but he did an even greater good by putting a little polish and shine on my day, just as I was getting started for doing some business.
If you recognize who the man was with the great talent of taking good care of both shoes and people, please pass along my thanks and let him know he does make a difference for people. Not just with their shoes – I have had my shoes shined hundreds of times in 25 years of travel, but never have I remembered the day, the person, and the learning afterward. Thank you.
A moment of Grace.