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It’s not easy, this new path. I try and make it look effortless and blissful. Ha.
Today I looked in the mirror and spoke to myself, “You’re getting there, John. Keep going.”
In my line I am often looking to give my customers the little encouragements. Like a little hit of dopamine and connection that comes from someone when they see you and look excited. I am happy to see most of you. I would appreciate your breif attention while we deal with matters of business, then we can be quiet, look deeply into each others eyes as we discuss our kids “back to school” plans. Whatever you need, I’m up for it. A plastic bag for your raw chicken, no problem, a box carrier for your six bottles of wine (“Did I get the 10% discount?), and “Do you have Amazon Prime?”
I am here to serve. To stay in my own lane. Unless invited, I will be happy to entertain my own thoughts. It’s not easy for me. I like to banter on. But for some people, it’s exhausting. My ex-wife for example, used to “shhh” me. Well, as they say, “That’s why your my ex.”
Today, I’m not too excited about my shift. I’ve been waiting for an answer on my application for a raise and minimally higher position. It’s okay that this place views rank as important. They don’t want to give me any undue advancement. “Management Training.” Sure.
What I can tell you, seeing two new “supervisors” start and quit within the last six weeks, they are not paying attention. The “leader” of my team does not have one leadership skill. Not one. He’s been with the company for 18 years, so he’s got that, but he’s reached the end of his usefulness. He’s just a placeholder. There’s no way he’s moving up. He’s hardly doing more than showing up at his job. A bit of a clown too, but one who doesn’t really understand much of what he is trying to comment on. He’s not afraid to jump in and bag groceries, so we like each other. Other than that, he’s avoiding me now, because he owes me an interview.
Is he scared of me? Doesn’t want to give me the bad news? Why would a manager avoid someone on their team? There’s got to be something stuck in his craw. Ho hum.
The good news is I have an interview with a team upstairs in Global Marketing. That would be cool. Keep the same insurance and maybe triple my current rate of pay. Get off the hourly-wage infantry soldier line.
They just hired a new ATL (two ranks above my entry-level cashier) and that’s good. He seems harmless. I wonder what the process was and how my TL interviewed him? He’s afraid to interview me for a lesser position. Is he worried about me going for his job? Well, if the store owner were paying attention he’d see, this “manager” has zero leadership skills. Yes, he’s a dedicated employee with history, but I think he’s been moved up the leadership chain without learning anything about leadership.
I hope all goes well for him today. I’m on at 1:30. Not looking forward to it. But hey, “You’re doing great, John. Keep up the good work.”
I’ll be seeking you in the checkout line.
[Listen to the Deep Dive explore the concepts of The Happy Cashier.]
The hope I see in others
becomes the hope I have for myself,
my life, and my own journey.
– The Happy Cashier
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ALT: Botisatva’s Bookshelf | The Happy Cashier Podcast
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