Last Friday I had scheduled an oil change for my SUV. I bought it in the fall, and this was to be it’s very first service appointment. When I called the Ford dealership where I purchased the car, they had quite a few openings for me to choose from in terms of when I’d bring the car in. There really was absolutely no question in my mind. I wanted to bring it in on a Friday, a Gramma Day.
Ben loves everything cars, and he LOVES going to car dealerships. He thinks a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours is to visit a variety of dealerships, looking in their lots for not only their makes and models of vehicles, but for what other vehicles might be on the lot too. He especially loves to go to Advantage Ford, where I’ve bought my last couple of vehicles and where I always go to have them serviced. Whenever I drop off my car, I wait until he, and now Andy too, can go with me.
This is a two adult adventure since after I drop my car off, we need a way to get home. Usually, the way we work it is we put the car seats into Jim’s truck, and both drive to Ford, the boys with Jim. Before I drive up to the service bay, we get Ben out of Jim’s truck and for a very rare treat, seatbelt him into the front passenger seat of my Escape, so he can see the door rise up, and drive with me into the service bay. The thrill is beyond description.
Once inside, we hop out and Ben lets the person intaking the vehicles know what we came for. He has no problem asking for an oil change or explaining that the tires need rotating. Once the car is checked in, we meet Jim and Andy inside where the front desk is. We miss nothing there. We look at every new hubcap, every type of tire, every ball cap and every Ford vanity license plate.
We’ve been taking Ben to Advantage Ford for three or four years and the staff have come to recognize us. All of them treat the boys like kings. Often one of the people at the front desk will lean over to talk to the boys. Almost every time, one of the salespeople tells them he has a little toy pull-back vehicle for them, and they are thrilled to pick from the little cache. We’ve even been treated to the ‘out of bounds’ area where the actual servicing is done, so the boys can see vehicle up on hoists, tires being changed, engines being repaired, and every manner of service being performed. Usually, one of the people in the mechanic shop gives each boy a colouring book and crayons. Many of the employees know them by name, and all know them to see them.
Our final part of our excursion is always the showroom where we see the most current models of the season. The boys take turns being driver and passenger in EACH vehicle, and most often, Jim and I are invited to hop in the back while we are taken for a ‘drive’. At the very back of the showroom is a little office. This is where the real magic happens. This is the office of Theresa.
Theresa is one of the finance officers and for some wonderful she and Ben struck up a friendship. Each time we are on our way to Ford, Ben wonders if Theresa will be there. When we finally get to the part of our routine when we get near Theresa’s office, one of two things happen, either Ben runs right in to see her or she looks up, her face lights up, and she opens her arms for a big hug. When Ben brought his baby brother to meet her, she made the same kind of fuss over Andy. She always takes the boys by the hand and lets them sit in the biggest, newest trucks.
This past December, on one of Ben’s Gramma Days he asked if we could make a few Christmas cards. We had some fun making one for our special people, Shirley, Betty, his teacher, Mrs. J., and this year, Theresa. He even wanted to pick up a little gift for her. We dropped in at Ford one day, and found Theresa at her desk talking with a couple who were purchasing a car. Ben didn’t let that stop him, and he quietly stood at her door. Theresa did not disappoint. She invited him in, gave him a hug, and introduced him to her clients as ‘This is Ben, our very best customer. He knows all about cars and trucks and we hope he’ll work here some day.’ Ben left his little card and gift and off we went.
I haven’t had any need to go to Ford since then, that is until last Friday. We went through our whole Ford routine, finally making our way back toward Theresa’s office. This time, Theresa did not have anyone in her office, and she spotted Ben before he reached her door.
Suddenly, a large booming voice could be heard throughout the dealership, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen! Ladies and Gentlemen!!! I have a very special announcement! Our VERY SPECIAL friends have arrived!!!’
Ben loves everything cars, and he LOVES going to car dealerships. He thinks a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours is to visit a variety of dealerships, looking in their lots for not only their makes and models of vehicles, but for what other vehicles might be on the lot too. He especially loves to go to Advantage Ford, where I’ve bought my last couple of vehicles and where I always go to have them serviced. Whenever I drop off my car, I wait until he, and now Andy too, can go with me.
This is a two adult adventure since after I drop my car off, we need a way to get home. Usually, the way we work it is we put the car seats into Jim’s truck, and both drive to Ford, the boys with Jim. Before I drive up to the service bay, we get Ben out of Jim’s truck and for a very rare treat, seatbelt him into the front passenger seat of my Escape, so he can see the door rise up, and drive with me into the service bay. The thrill is beyond description.
Once inside, we hop out and Ben lets the person intaking the vehicles know what we came for. He has no problem asking for an oil change or explaining that the tires need rotating. Once the car is checked in, we meet Jim and Andy inside where the front desk is. We miss nothing there. We look at every new hubcap, every type of tire, every ball cap and every Ford vanity license plate.
We’ve been taking Ben to Advantage Ford for three or four years and the staff have come to recognize us. All of them treat the boys like kings. Often one of the people at the front desk will lean over to talk to the boys. Almost every time, one of the salespeople tells them he has a little toy pull-back vehicle for them, and they are thrilled to pick from the little cache. We’ve even been treated to the ‘out of bounds’ area where the actual servicing is done, so the boys can see vehicle up on hoists, tires being changed, engines being repaired, and every manner of service being performed. Usually, one of the people in the mechanic shop gives each boy a colouring book and crayons. Many of the employees know them by name, and all know them to see them.
Our final part of our excursion is always the showroom where we see the most current models of the season. The boys take turns being driver and passenger in EACH vehicle, and most often, Jim and I are invited to hop in the back while we are taken for a ‘drive’. At the very back of the showroom is a little office. This is where the real magic happens. This is the office of Theresa.
Theresa is one of the finance officers and for some wonderful she and Ben struck up a friendship. Each time we are on our way to Ford, Ben wonders if Theresa will be there. When we finally get to the part of our routine when we get near Theresa’s office, one of two things happen, either Ben runs right in to see her or she looks up, her face lights up, and she opens her arms for a big hug. When Ben brought his baby brother to meet her, she made the same kind of fuss over Andy. She always takes the boys by the hand and lets them sit in the biggest, newest trucks.
This past December, on one of Ben’s Gramma Days he asked if we could make a few Christmas cards. We had some fun making one for our special people, Shirley, Betty, his teacher, Mrs. J., and this year, Theresa. He even wanted to pick up a little gift for her. We dropped in at Ford one day, and found Theresa at her desk talking with a couple who were purchasing a car. Ben didn’t let that stop him, and he quietly stood at her door. Theresa did not disappoint. She invited him in, gave him a hug, and introduced him to her clients as ‘This is Ben, our very best customer. He knows all about cars and trucks and we hope he’ll work here some day.’ Ben left his little card and gift and off we went.
I haven’t had any need to go to Ford since then, that is until last Friday. We went through our whole Ford routine, finally making our way back toward Theresa’s office. This time, Theresa did not have anyone in her office, and she spotted Ben before he reached her door.
Suddenly, a large booming voice could be heard throughout the dealership, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen! Ladies and Gentlemen!!! I have a very special announcement! Our VERY SPECIAL friends have arrived!!!’
She swung around in her chair and removed a card from the wall. It had ‘Ben and Andy’ written on the front and had been tacked to the wall, awaiting their return. Theresa gave it to Ben to open. Every one of the employees had signed a Ford card for Ben and Andy, writing special messages for them.
Ben is a confident little guy, but he is also shy. I’m so glad Theresa didn’t let that stop her. As the boys heard the message and received their hug and card, I could almost see them puff up with love and pride. They were thrilled beyond measure.
One of the greatest gifts we can give to others is to make them feel seen. Sometimes we get in our own way, making assumptions about how others want to be treated and seen. We don’t always get it right. Often people who are quieter or shy get left out because people assume, ‘They wouldn’t want a fuss.’ Others who can take up a lot of space, often get the fuss, but don’t receive the gift of quieter compliments.
Every single one of us appreciates being seen. We appreciate knowing that our simply showing up is meaningful. When I was a brand-new mother, the best piece of advice I received was this, ‘The best gift you can give your child is to have your face light up when they enter the room.’
Theresa did this perfectly.
Perfectly.
Next weekend we will celebrate Easter. If we are lucky, we will gather with friends and family, perhaps for a meal, perhaps for an Easter Egg hunt. Perhaps when our company arrives, we’ll be brave enough to welcome them with, “Ladies and Gentlemen! I have a very special announcement. Our VERY SPECIAL friends have arrived.’
Happy Easter.
My inquiry for you this week is, ‘How do I welcome?’
I'm going to take a couple of weeks off. See you in April.
Elizabeth is a certified professional Leadership Coach, and the owner of Critchley Coaching. She is the founder and president of the Canadian charity, RDL Building Hope Society. She works with corporations, non-profits and the public sector, providing leadership coaching. She creates and facilitates custom workshops for all sizes of groups and has expertise in facilitating Strategic Plans for organizations. Contact Elizabeth to learn how to welcome.
Ben is a confident little guy, but he is also shy. I’m so glad Theresa didn’t let that stop her. As the boys heard the message and received their hug and card, I could almost see them puff up with love and pride. They were thrilled beyond measure.
One of the greatest gifts we can give to others is to make them feel seen. Sometimes we get in our own way, making assumptions about how others want to be treated and seen. We don’t always get it right. Often people who are quieter or shy get left out because people assume, ‘They wouldn’t want a fuss.’ Others who can take up a lot of space, often get the fuss, but don’t receive the gift of quieter compliments.
Every single one of us appreciates being seen. We appreciate knowing that our simply showing up is meaningful. When I was a brand-new mother, the best piece of advice I received was this, ‘The best gift you can give your child is to have your face light up when they enter the room.’
Theresa did this perfectly.
Perfectly.
Next weekend we will celebrate Easter. If we are lucky, we will gather with friends and family, perhaps for a meal, perhaps for an Easter Egg hunt. Perhaps when our company arrives, we’ll be brave enough to welcome them with, “Ladies and Gentlemen! I have a very special announcement. Our VERY SPECIAL friends have arrived.’
Happy Easter.
My inquiry for you this week is, ‘How do I welcome?’
I'm going to take a couple of weeks off. See you in April.
Elizabeth is a certified professional Leadership Coach, and the owner of Critchley Coaching. She is the founder and president of the Canadian charity, RDL Building Hope Society. She works with corporations, non-profits and the public sector, providing leadership coaching. She creates and facilitates custom workshops for all sizes of groups and has expertise in facilitating Strategic Plans for organizations. Contact Elizabeth to learn how to welcome.
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