It’s Hard to Tend to People
Every morning I walk about a mile from the train station to the office. This morning around 6:30am I was traversing the gray streets of Chicago when a guy I’d never met sidled up beside me.
He greeted me and I returned his greeting.
“Why’s everybody so wrapped up in themselves?” he asked.
I stopped. We talked for a little while. This fellow lived on the street. He had his own reasons for trying to get me to stop, of course. But his sense of isolation was palpable.
I’ve heard it said that one of the worst parts of poverty is being cut off from relationships. Everyone is “so wrapped up in themselves” because we don’t want to be taken advantage of, because we fear what a conversation might bring, because we believe our time is better spent at the place we’re headed to, whether work or home. It’s easier not to stop, not to listen, not to look others in the eye.
It’s hard to tend to and care for people.
At the risk of diminishing the importance of this man and the problems of poverty, can I suggest that this lesson applies in business too?
It’s hard to tend to and care for people.
It’s tempting to get wrapped up inside our own team. It’s tempting to cut ourselves off from difficult conversations with clients or prospects or partners. It’s easier to work on ways to make a quick buck or even busy ourselves with shuffling papers than to really attend to people in the process.
Some times what’s good for business and what’s good for people is not the same thing. The recent financial mismanagement and money-grab is still a stunning example. But in tending to people the two can be aligned. Open conversations with clients. Hear what they really think. Tend to what those around you are saying. Pay careful attention and respond.
Tending to people means you are more likely to retain a lot of satisfied customers, which is the best way to keep your business healthy in a challenging market. That’s good for your business. Tending to people will also make you and your clients feel understood, connected and valued. That’s good for people.
Much of the technology Highland Solutions provides to clients is about empowering this process of tending well to people. We know technology can be used to separate people as well, but we’re most satisfied with our work when our solutions help connect data and people in ways that are good for both business and people. If your business technology is separating people instead of connecting them, consider some alternatives.
As a final thought, next time a street person wants to hustle you for some cash, consider giving them a little time. It won’t do anything for your business. While running a successful business is a great thing, in the end it all comes down to people. Tending to them is always good work.
