This week’s book learning is from ‘Screw It, Let’s Do it’ by Richard Branson.
When Richard Branson was a young entrepreneur getting started with Virgin Music, he flew to Japan and set up numerous meetings with the big shots in the media industry. He had some vague ideas of a joint venture but really, he was just a broke man with some outrageous ideas. Yet, he found himself being listened to and being treated very courteously and patiently.
That experience had a deep impact on him and he decided that he would be as polite and courteous to all those around him. This resolution was tested when he was on his way to a meeting in a taxi with a very chatty taxi driver.
‘Oy I know you. You’re that Dick Branson who runs that record label.’
Branson smiled, hoping he would shut up. But he went on and said he was also a drummer in a band and asked if he could play a demo tape. Branson’s heart sank but he didn’t want to be rude so he replied with a ‘That will be lovely’.
And just as they were getting to the end of the trip, the cabbie put on the tape and Branson then heard the words ‘I can feel it coming in the air tonight.’
That’s when the cabbie got out laughing like mad. He was the one and only Phil Collins..
A bad mood, a bad day, work, busy-ness and other things seem to get in the way of us being the best we can be.
‘You meet the same people on the way down as you met on your way up. So, treat them well’ is a quote I really like.
Branson’s story reminded me of that wise quote..
Here’s to being polite and kind to everyone we meet this week!
A Learning a Day 