Yesterday at a gym where I am a member, I warmly greeted a 30-something gym employee and asked him what was new and special in his life. As he began to answer me, he looked at his iPhone and he began entering information into his computer, while still speaking with me.
I was shocked and abruptly stopped him from what he was doing. I pointed out to him as he could see, he had my undivided attention while he spoke and I told him one of the most important signs of respect is to give someone your undivided attention (and be an avid listener for them).
Now he was shocked and apologized for what he had done, but I was still emphatic in making my point and worse yet, there were two other gym employees able to hear the conversation.
Within a few minutes, I realized I was wrong for not having taken him aside to speak privately and for being much to harsh in making my points. I called him and apologized but he didn't know how to handle it and went into a corporate mode of formal response that said nothing other than to acknowledge what I had said.
Understanding this, I politely signed off. And as I look back on what happened 24 hours later, I'm glad I called him because it was the right thing to do and I'm also sitting here smiling. But I also recognize my own short-coming, for I should have better self-control from the moment he did what he did, instead of losing my temper. This is a necessary area of growth for me.
Dick
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