Shopping Advice for the Season: Spare Us Your Political Complaints
None of us care and we're super busy
"But WHY?" I groaned. "Stop wasting everyone's time with your complaints!"
"I know, I know. I told her that." She replied.
Last week, on a phone call with a friend, she recanted a story about one of her co-workers. This person has extreme political views and decided to go into a coffee shop and let the people there know she wasn't happy with the company.
UGH. I cannot sigh hard enough at this.
Please, please, please stop airing your corporate complaints to the people who work on the frontline.
Stop.
Stop it right now.
Go Fast, Smile, and Remain Calm. That’s Your Job.
Do you know how many decisions frontline workers get to make about corporate policies?
Pretty much zero.
None.
In frontline work, you get handed down to-dos, and you execute.
You go fast, smile, and remain cool in every heated situation.
That's your job.
When I ran stores, the last thing I had time for was listening to a complaint about something my corporate office had done. Yes, of course, I would listen and act like I cared, but I was really thinking, How quickly can I get you out of here?
Sounds terrible, right? But it's true.
I'd forward the complaint via email, but I have no idea if the company took any action whatsoever.
Here's the thing - most companies have a customer service department—especially global coffee chains. Call them. Write a formal letter of complaint. Boycott them. Whatever.
Please do not go into a store and talk to the cashiers. Like, just stop.
I can’t. No one can.
The employees will probably listen to you because they have no choice, but that doesn't mean you should do it.
Retail worker abuse is expected to rise this holiday season because everyone is under so much stress. Salaries have not kept up with the cost of living, and inflation is out of control. Orange juice is $17.99.
I can't.
No one can.
Tensions boil over, and the next thing you know, someone is screaming and throwing soft drinks at the MacDonald's cashier (that actually happened).
While I'm glad my friend’s co-worker felt heard by the baristas at this coffee shop, that doesn't mean it was the right choice. Her concerns with the company may have stopped at that frontline worker. Her concerns may never go any further up.
If so, it was a giant waste of everyone's time.
Take your complaints straight to corporate this holiday season, be kind to frontline workers, or shop online.
We make thousands of choices daily. Choose to be the person that makes someone else's day better. Choose to be patient. Choose not to do that errand today because you don't really have time for it, and you know it.
Above all else, air your complaints to the person who may be able to do something about it and leave everyone else alone.
Thanks.
MAILBOX
This message landed in my DMs.
"I am currently in a position that offers me no growth, lack of support.
I get it; in retail, things happen & store managers are the ambassadors, merchandisers, trainers, & the list goes on. It's been a year & I keep the faith while applying, and I'll get the interviews, receive good feedback, and then nothing."
My reply:
"It's not you.
Many leaders get thrown into their positions and are unprepared to lead. They don't have the self-awareness, or they amass too much ego along the way. But there are fantastic leaders out there, too. It took me a while to find them.
Keep an eye on Ossy. It's a recruitment site for retail leaders. It hasn't launched yet; they're still building it, but it will be awesome."
Finding the right job fit is HARD. No one tells you that. Probably because older generations put up with toxic workplaces for forty years and then retired. They were given a watch for their dedication and were happy with it.
Everything is different now.
There is little reward for tenure. So, be good to people, learn what you can, and move on. Always keep your eyes open for new opportunities and be open to interviewing.
Everything can change in a month. Be ready for it.
LEVEL UP
One thing you can do today to be a better leader.
Take your breaks.
Yes, you. I know you don't have time, but you need to go. Here's why:
Sitting down or disconnecting for ten minutes will boost your productivity.
Eat. Take your lunch break. Healthy food and a bottle of water are like nature's Red Bull. It will give you so much energy.
Show your team how to care for themselves by modeling it.
People on your team will follow what you do. If you work through every break, they will think that's what they must do to fit in or get promoted.
Even if you don't expect others to do it, if they see you doing it, they will follow suit.
Show them how to care for themselves in small ways by doing it yourself.
A rested team that knows their health comes first cannot lose.
Cheers!
Thank you for being here. If you dig my writing, please share this email.
Click the 🖤 so more people can discover this on Substack.
You're the absolute best.
You got to the heart of how crazy this season can be for frontline people! Let's push common empathy and limit stress! Adding political hot water does NOT help!!!