Story about communication: The Lieutenants lesson about attitude
One sunny day a young second lieutenant at Fort Bragg military base discovered that he had no change when he was about to buy a soft drink from a vending machine. He stopped a passing private and asked him, “Do you have change for a dollar?” The private said cheerfully, “I think so, let me take a look.” The lieutenant suddenly drew himself up stiffly and said, “Soldier, that is no way to address an officer. Do you know the consequences for disrespecting a superior officer?! I will teach you a lesson about attitude.”
The private looked surprised as he was trying to help out the lieutenant that he had never before even met. But knowing the chain of command he waited for further instructions. The lieutenant continued “We’ll start over again and this time make sure you respond as you are obligated to. Do you understand me private! Do you have change for a dollar?”
The private came to attention, saluted, and said, “No I do not have any change, sir! And yes, I have learned a lesson about attitude, sir.”
Moral of the story:
- Many managers forget that how and when you say something is very important. It's not always about what you have the right to say, it's about how you say it. Always respect the person you are talking to even if you are their "superior". Otherwise, you can not expect that the other person will put in any effort to help you.
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