Everyday you bring a spark to the workplace; it's your choice if it ignites a flame of positivity or destruction. You will have an impact one way or another, regardless if this is your dream job or long term career. Two Sundays ago, we visited a Noodles and Company, in Frederick Maryland. Another customer accepted our order and threw the already short staff, for a loop. The Assistant Manager delivered our meal 30 minutes after our order was placed, in what normally takes 5-7 minutes. She was apologetic and invited us back to see how their normal service. We returned this Sunday and as promised, the Assistant Manager provided service that was amazingly quick and the food was delicious. Valuable lessons can be learned by living life in the crucible. I asked what she learned from the experience the previous week. She explained how she had thought a lot about what had happened, the importance of customer engagement early and often, and outlined what she would do differently next time. I was encouraged to see that she took the opportunity to make the most of a difficult situation and as a result, I think the Assistant Manager at Noodles and Company is a keeper. Well Done! I didn't see the enthusiasm of the team falter during our first visit and it caused me to consider my response when the heat gets turned up in the crucible at work or home life. Every customer or co-worker engagement is an opportunity to make a difference. Work itself is laborious enough without you and I being an additional burden and I doubt your job description includes the requirement to be a source of misery. I had been challenged to leave each person I interact with, better than when I found them. This is a lofty goal, but worthy.

How do you choose to engage those at work? Would you want to have you as a co-worker? How would your customers and co-workers rate your impact on the work environment; positive or negative? What is one step you can take to improve your work environment? Who is a worthy role model and what characteristic do you admire?