The Most Important Opportunity

An astronomical water bill took me to city hall to inquire. The charge, for two consecutive months was off the chart. There is, of course, a window between me and the city employee and apparently that gives them a license to assume that I and practically everyone else that comes to the window, is well below average intelligence. Without the window as a barrier, they might need to prove that they care and respect the customers by, let's say, acting like we actually mattered and that we just might have a brain. The discussion of the huge charge for water lead to a rather lengthy and confusing explanation of the process of charging based on averages, etc. The lasting impression is that they really don't care because they don't have to. Where else can I go to get my water? They are not held accountable for treating the window-visitors as if: They represent the Most Important Opportunity. Because of the distressing issue I was having, the city employee could have started the monotonous detailed (I have done this a thousand times) explanation with; "I am sorry you are having a problem, let me see if I can help." But Noooooooooooooo. I got the standard "throw-up" and get away from the window as quickly as you can demeanor.

Whenever you are engaging with anyone in business you are given the opportunity to treat the individual(s) as: The Most Important Opportunity. Every individual thinks that their problem or situation is much more important that almost anything you have going on and they expect you to behave accordingly. They represent a chance for you to grow by taking ownership, learning what they need and then do what you can. The Most Important Opportunity of the day is often the one standing before you at any given time.