Small Gestures Go A Long Way

You know what's not a small gesture? You Supporting the Show!

In this episode of Grossly Competent, Steve and Patrick talk about the power of small gestures in professional and personal settings and explore the resounding impacts of those moments.

• What is a small thing you did for someone that changed your perception?
• Did a company or someone do something for you?

Through personal stories and experiences, the boys delve into how the small things add up in a big way.

Before that, Steve talks about being tired and Patrick reminisces about Norm Macdonald and his ability to make even the most offensive things hilarious (too bad he never saw our faces...).

Come for the chat, stay for the laughs, and run from our faces: we're Grossly Competent!

Hey friends, we love doing this, and if you like what you’re hearing and want to support the show, here are the best ways possible: 

• Give a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts,
• Visit us on Buzzsprout at grosslycompetent.buzzsprout.com. 
• Give us a shout on Instagram @grosslycompetent

We appreciate you for listening!

Grow Potential With Humata Consulting
Empowering Company Success through Customized Learning and Development Solutions

Hang out with Zero Proof Pass
Mindful Drinking Starts Here - Hang out without the Hangover.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Transcript

Copy Transcript Copied

SPEAKER_00 0:29

Hello, and welcome to Grossly Competent, the learning, development, and adulting podcast that does not claim to be pretty. No way! But we will happily pretend to be slightly competent. I am your host, Steve Council, and I'm joined by my co-host, a man who boasts a face like Surp of Epicac, Mr. Patrick Ailshire. That was a good one. Thank you. I was pretty proud of that one. Not gonna lie.

SPEAKER_01 0:58

Well said, Steve. And as you mentioned, this is in fact a show about learning. Steve is our long-term case study.

SPEAKER_00 1:10

I am reminded constantly of my daughter asking me if uh they had school in the olden days. Because anything that predates their birth is the quote-unquote olden days. Um and I just I always think of that when uh whenever I think of learning. And you just reminded me of my lack of ability to learn. So there's that, folks.

SPEAKER_01 1:35

Why didn't you go to school?

SPEAKER_00 1:39

I'm still dealing with the the the traumatic brain injury that came with that one, because that was brutal. Um but Mr. Patrick, you are right, folks. We have all sorts of fun stuff we're gonna talk about this week. But first, let's figure out who our sponsor of the week is.

SPEAKER_01 2:06

This week's episode is brought to you by I'm Just Resting My Eyes. The internationally recognized phrase meaning I absolutely fell asleep, but I'd like to save a little dignity. Clinical studies show it lasts anywhere from 10 minutes to waking up confused at 7.30 p.m. I'm just resting my eyes, the nap that refuses to identify as a nap. Wow.

SPEAKER_00 2:33

Thank you. I'm just resting my eyes. Uh big fan. Big fan of your product. Um I have found that as I get older, um, I now can appreciate my elders when I was a kid that would also subscribe to I'm just resting my eyes. And it often happens, shockingly, while I'm watching children's programming in the evening. So bizarre. Who would have ever imagined?

SPEAKER_01 3:07

I remember like one of the first times I heard that phrase. It was, you know, I was a young child, and yeah, it was either probably watching some sort of show with my parents or playing. It was like playing a board game. Sure. Friday after Friday evening or whatever, you know, looking over and dad's got his eyes closed. Dad! I'm just rusting my eyes.

SPEAKER_02 3:27

Oh okay.

SPEAKER_01 3:28

Yep. That seems fair.

SPEAKER_00 3:31

Uh so are you familiar with um the it's a series of movies called The Descendants. It's like a Disney Plus type of thing like I've heard the name.

SPEAKER_01 3:45

I don't know anything about it, but I am familiar.

SPEAKER_00 3:48

So I guess they're on um the second film of like the the revamped show. Okay. Like there was three previous, and now they're like not redoing them, it's whatever. I don't know. I'm explaining it horribly. Um, but they're like really good. And I hope you can just hear the sarcasm trip. Uh and I can say that loudly because I know my daughter isn't here and she can't hear me say that. Okay. And I woke up to like the last 15 minutes of like the really awesome finale, and I was like, oh, thank God. I just time warped at the most pristine moment. Like, it was so great. It was like I got I got harnessed into the rocket ship in the future, and like, you're gonna go to Mars, you're gonna take a nap, because it's a long ride. I'm like, all right. Then I woke up like, we're at Mars. Holy smokes. That's exactly how it felt, and it was it was really fantastic. Um, what I liked about the movie is I didn't really watch it. That was my favorite part. They're just not that good. They're just not that good. So, anyway, not that I was expecting you to know much about the descendants, um, because you are not a seven-year-old girl. I appreciate that. Yeah, no problem, no problem. So I was actually impressed that you were like, Yeah, I've heard of it. Like, wow, that is honestly impressive. But you have nieces and nephews and stuff, so I totally get that.

unknown 5:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 5:37

I uh will not add that to the list, so I appreciate that.

SPEAKER_00 5:42

No, you're not gonna just go out of your way, throw some wicked wonderland right on your on your subscribe.

SPEAKER_01 5:50

Speaking of subscribing, folks, uh and then you can come back and just say you were resting your eyes.

SPEAKER_00 5:59

Yeah. Um speaking of being tired, dude. I okay, it has been a really long week. And I think it's just been like a long several weeks. Like, I know it sounds like I'm complaining. Like it it sounds so like, oh wow, whoa is you. No, no, no. Like, I'm not trying to be that way. It just feels like August. Maybe it's because like summer's kind of winding down a little bit. I hate that I'm even saying that. Um, but I I just kind of feel like the Green Mile meme where like I I'm a tired boss, you know, like I don't I don't know. Like, do you feel the same way right now, or is it just like me? Yeah, you know, it could be, it could be, I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 6:47

I think no, I I I feel that August just in general always seems to be kind of long. Yeah. Drags on a little bit. I it's what is that, the the dog days of summer? It's sure you know, that that time of the summer where it's okay, we've we've been in kind of the summer months, you know, for whether summer break for students, or just in general, the weather kind of dragging on. It's hot, it's it's sticky, humid. And yeah, I think that's kind of kind of where the the you know, the dog day is like, alright, maybe it's time for Mother Earth to kick in a little bit of that cooler weather here and there would be nice. Um But that also reminds me, Steve, we are coming up, we're halfway through August. We're getting awfully close to our one-year pot diversary. Uh, dude, yes. I saw what 48?

SPEAKER_00 7:46

Yeah, I maybe I'm wrong, but it should be what? Well, I because we took the state there.

SPEAKER_01 7:57

Yeah, so fifty we it'll we'll hit like our one year around episode 50, I believe. Because we started af we started after Labor Day.

SPEAKER_00 8:05

So that sounds right. And we've yeah, we've only missed two weeks. Uh yeah. Um, I do genuinely want to say, maybe I'm wrong on this. I'll have to look it up. It's really sad I don't know this. Uh, but I want to say the official first episode that we launched was on September 11th. I swear it was. Because you both we were both like, well, alright. A bad omen.

SPEAKER_01 8:33

It's fine. Fine, guys. Now that I think back, it completely makes sense about how this year has gone for us.

unknown 8:40

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_00 8:44

Is enough time past that we can joke like this now? 25 years? Is that the correct number? I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 8:50

There's a there's a Norm McDonald bit who joked about it years later, but he's I don't remember what it was exactly, but it was something about like how it was called like 9-11 Airlines or something.

SPEAKER_00 9:04

It was just like Jeez, just awful.

SPEAKER_01 9:08

Like that was he norm liked to push buttons like that. That was his style. And yeah.

SPEAKER_00 9:15

Yeah, but that's enough to say may he rest in peace. But yeah, it is pretty wild. Um I I have some uh I might have some plans, but I'm gonna keep them secret. Not just from you listeners, but from you, Mr. Patrick. Oh. So my lips are sealed.

SPEAKER_01 9:37

Well, let me know when to uh when we're recording and I'll I'll try to be there.

SPEAKER_00 9:43

Well, unless you get another co-host. All of a sudden I come on and there's another person. I'm like, wait a minute.

SPEAKER_01 9:52

Did you release did you release a bonus episode? Oh, I've been meaning to talk to you about that.

SPEAKER_00 9:57

Season two, we're going in a different direction.

unknown 10:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:01

And by different direction, uh, we're just gonna do a completely different podcast.

SPEAKER_01 10:07

It'll be it'll be uh Patrick and Joe.

SPEAKER_00 10:11

Oh man. Beauty and the beast.

SPEAKER_01 10:14

But we want the we want the uh because now we're in season two, we're gonna take a different uh uh viewpoint of yeah, maybe Joe should just have his own podcast.

SPEAKER_00 10:24

I think he should.

SPEAKER_01 10:25

And it'll be from his viewpoint of what happened that fateful night.

SPEAKER_00 10:32

And he's gonna be like, I don't even know what you're talking about. Like, nothing happened to me. It was just a standard evening where some woman throws herself at me, and I'm just like, no, because I am with the love of my life. Yeah, and Patrick and I are like, Well, uh, okay. Just traumatized from the experience, but that's cool. As long as it was a nesting burger to you. Right. Absolutely. With all that being said, um, just a really quick kind of venture back because I want to make sure I touch on this. Um, I kind of hate that I'm in full agreement with you on I'm okay with the cooler weather coming here. Like, uh I am. I just saw candy corn in the store. I was like, oh. Oh, be still my heart.

SPEAKER_01 11:32

Have we talked about candy corn?

SPEAKER_00 11:34

Uh and how really delicious? No crap. No, and it has to be Brock's. Has to be Brock's. Is that a brand? Yeah, B-R-A-C-H. Uh Brock's, by the way, if you would like, uh, I will give you my contact information. I'd gladly let you sponsor us here on Grossly Competent. And if you're listening to us on YouTube, like and subscribe.

SPEAKER_01 11:58

Get that LinkedIn if you're still listening after all these weeks. Uh, feel free to be our sponsor as well.

SPEAKER_00 12:06

Oh, um, I was gonna save this for the shout-out, but dude, I actually had I'm sorry, I'm making this really long. I had a positive LinkedIn connection experience. I'm gonna cut right to it. Do you mind? No, please. Okay, so this was gonna be my shout-out. Um, okay, I gotta find what her name was again, because a very interesting name. Umrica Oros Bintint. Bintinton. I am butchering this name. But when I saw it, I was like, well, that is interesting. Um shh, her ex her background was really kind of interesting. And so when she sent me a connection and like with a little message, it was like, hey, really like your spin and take on learning and development. Like, would love to connect. I was like, okay, well, thank you. What a kind thing to say. My goodness. So I hit that connect button. Yep, sounds groovy to me. And I wrote her back. I was like, well, thank you so much. I am nothing if not genuine. Like, that's just who I am. And instead of saying, real quick question, or like, what are your thoughts? Nope, not at all. She was like, I I really appreciate that. I'm looking forward to connecting, like chatting down the road. Oh. Oh my god. I was like, what a breath of fresh air. Not all heroes wear capes, apparently. And uh, Orica, uh, I know, big time listener. I know it. Um, you are amazing. So that's what I'm just gonna say about that. I was like, oh my god.

SPEAKER_01 13:42

Because uh the tables have turned a bit, maybe.

SPEAKER_00 13:45

Oh god, I hope so. Although um, it might have been a week or so ago, I think I told you this that I had somebody uh that was fun. Do the hard pitch slap. Like they're like, hey, real quick question. And I was like, why the pitch slap? Why why are you doing me dirty? I thought I thought we'd be friends, and then you pitch slap me. That's not nice. And I kid you not, the dude responded like, I'm I'm sorry I pitch slapped you. I'm like, oh my god, I wasn't expecting that, but I still blocked him. Like, no, no, I was wondering what happened with that. Yeah, I was like, remove connection, unfollow, get out of my face. Because uh, no, I don't need the prodigy playing in the background, change my picture. Ooh, pitch slap me up, you know. That's not how I think that's how the song goes. Yeah, anyways. I'm sorry, I took us down a very odd tunnel there. Um, but I really want to make sure I put it out there. It's fantastic.

SPEAKER_01 14:52

What do you got for us today?

SPEAKER_00 14:53

Uh not much. No. Um, I actually wanted to start things off by sharing a little something that uh that uh my company or so specifically my manager and I decided to start doing this week, like as in uh four days ago, five days ago, something like that.

SPEAKER_01 15:11

Oh, you're working at work now?

SPEAKER_00 15:13

I know for once, I know. Somebody asked me, Wow, you look really tan. I'm like, well, it's because I fall asleep by my window. And so that's always the ongoing joke that I sleep at work um because I'm like tucked in a corner. And uh yeah, so there's that. Uh so anyway, so this past week we had orientation for new hires. We we had two two new people start. Totally cool. We do it um every other week. Totally fine. Um, but this was an idea that my manager came up with. Uh, she kind of gave me this subtle overview of like, hey, it would be kind of cool if we did something like this. So I just took it a step further. Um, I had their emails, so I reached out to both of the new hires and said, Hey, like, really excited to have you, and kind of gave them some directive of like dress casual, whatever. I'm like, and by the way, I have two burning questions I need to ask you, and I'd love your responses by the end of the day today or whatever. And I was like, What is your favorite beverage and what is your favorite snack? And I had one participant reach out and say, uh, Sprite Zero and granola. I was like, Well, that is a very interesting combo. And the other had said, sparkling water and peanut MMs are my comfort foods. And I was like, that is simply adorable. Um, so what I did was I took that information and the day of orientation just went to uh the convenience store, quick trip, if you must know, and I I picked those things up and I had them set up on the table with like their booklets and pen and papers and all that kind of stuff, right? Like you're talking three, four bucks for each person's stuff, like nothing crazy, right? You would have thought I was giving them gold bars, like, but it was really cute, like it was super sweet. They were just like so excited. The first one came in, she's like, Oh, oh my gosh, I love this. I love Sprite Zero. This is my favorite, and she was like all excited, like doing like the happy clap and stuff. I was like, Oh, and the next one came in, and he's like, Oh my gosh, this is so cool! I gotta take a picture and send it to my wife. She's gonna think it's the coolest thing ever. So, like they were both snapping pictures and like sharing it with their family and whatnot. And what I liked is that it was just such a small gesture, like tiny, stupid gesture, like can't get smaller than that. A little beverage and a little snack, whatever. But it made such a huge impact. And I just I thought it'd be kind of fun to talk about those things, right? Like personal and professional times that either we have been the recipient or we've been able to give those kinds of moments that might be small to us, like it it's no big deal to us, but it really makes a tremendous difference to another person.

SPEAKER_01 18:54

Yes. Yeah, I think that's a cool idea. I like that your organization uh has started doing that. Your team, I think that's a that's something you you know to continue with would be really cool because again, it's something so small. And even though they may the the the cool thing is they may have forgotten about it or they may not have expected it. Maybe they're I mean it it's obviously kind of leaning the witness a bit of like, hey, maybe there'll be something here for you when you start, but also it was not something that they were gonna think about all day as far as like before they got there. Oh, but then when they come to work, they're like, Oh, cool, that was probably on the on their mind for a while. They obviously shared it with family or friends, and then something they'll think about and remember for a long time. Just that small little gesture. So I I really like I really like that idea.

SPEAKER_00 19:40

And it's it what the intent behind it was just to create a little bit of personality. Like, as you and I both know, orientation is somewhat similar to like your yearly compliance training. Like a lot of it is like, okay, you have to fill out this paperwork, we have to make sure you get your documentation and like so. It's not usually the most sunshine, rainbows, tons of fun stuff, yeah, but just that small thing that was fun. Um, my manager, her section is on like now strap in. This is exciting stuff, corporate compliance and workplace behaviors. Like, come on, like, this is not fun, exciting stuff. But it was during her conversation with it that uh the gentleman that had the peanut MMs, it's all of 9 30 in the morning, right? He looks over on and he goes, Is it uh is it is it too early for me to open up the MMs? I'm like, buddy, they're yours. Like, have eat the whole bag, knock yourself out, man. Like, go ahead. And he was like a little kid, kid, like, oh jeez, like I I'm breaking the rules. Like, but it was it was awesome. Like it was such uh it was such a small thing, but it was so cool. Sorry, I I'll stop. Is there your thing?

SPEAKER_01 20:58

Is there a small is there a small part of you that hopes that someone responds with something that you really love? Like the next time you do this, they'll be like, I love candy corn and oh no, no, no, no, genuinely.

SPEAKER_00 21:11

Uh no, uh this is 100. Come on, I'm hungry up here.

SPEAKER_01 21:16

I'm running this training all day.

SPEAKER_00 21:19

God, I'm so so I uh interestingly enough, in uh my learning center, um, I have a corner that is stocked with snacks, like just stocked, like chips, and all like little bags of chips and goldfish crackers and uh bars and whatever, because I want people to feel welcome. Also, as we've talked about in the past, and I'm I'm kind of straying a bit here, so I apologize. In that HR is often looked at as like the big, bad scaries. Like, I don't want to go by HR. So I figure the more inviting I can make things, and I just tell people, I'm like, come on up, say hi, grab a piece of candy or six, I don't care, like knock yourself out. So it gets people up by just more and to start engaging, and even if it's not like I have this uh professional issue I need to sell. Nope, they're just coming out to say hi. Hell yeah, I'll take that all day. The more inviting, the better. So, okay, I'm I'm done. I want to hear your your uh things.

SPEAKER_01 22:23

Yeah, so do you want to go back and forth and maybe share some uh personal or professional some things that we've experienced?

SPEAKER_00 22:33

I don't I don't have a preference, honestly. Um balls in your court. Yeah, whatever you want to do, man.

SPEAKER_01 22:38

Yeah, I mean it might be kind of cool to share something similar, like work related. Okay. But also something if we can think about maybe in our own lives that someone has done. Sounds awesome. Okay. So I'll start. Uh I think prof we'll start with professionally. Cool. Um I had a manager uh at my current company. This was uh she was my manager for a couple years and she's uh taken a different position within the company. Oh um unfortunately her position was eliminated. Um and so but she was able to get something else in the company, which was awesome. So yeah, we miss her, but we're still connected in a way, which is cool. As the LD manager, she would come observe not every training we did, but there was quite a few that she wanted to come see and just be able to take some notes and give us feedback. Yeah. And uh for those two years that she was my manager, um every time every time she came to uh train, she that we knew she was gonna be coming there, she would send a text or a message the day before what can I get you for coffee? And it would just uh it was a Starbucks, you know, it was great. Uh loved it was a nice little pick me up in the morning for training. Um and then it got to a point where she I always just ordered the same thing because I just want something, just give me some black coffee, like a pike plates or uh the blonde roast, whatever. Yeah. And then it would be towards, you know, after a year or so. The usual, you know, but like every time, and I didn't like even I would sometimes forget about it. Yeah, you know, like she asked me a day or two before, and I'd forget about it, and I'd show up there and she'd walk in with the coffee, or she'd get there first, and it was sitting there for me, you know, like this is awesome. It's just a great way to start the start the day and just you know, a night a really kind little gesture that was coming out of her pocket. Um specifically, I you know I work in government, so you we like literally can't spend government funds, we can't spend money on on um on food or drinks. Like for we can't we couldn't you we could not use county dollars if we had the option. It couldn't, it's not there. And so it's just something you do out of your you know, kindness to your heart, similar, you know, to uh just going to the store, quick trip and picking up stuff. It's just something a nice little gesture, doesn't it doesn't break the bank. And that was really that was really cool. And uh random side tangent on this. Uh one time she we had a full day training and she brought me a coffee, and I like it was uh I had a morning session for three hours, and then we had an hour lunch break, and then there was a new group coming in for the afternoon session. Oh, okay. And I had I had just had it was a sad, it was a uh let's say like a Wednesday or Thursday in March, and I happened to check my email at lunch just to see what was going on on the team, the rest of the whatever. And there's these emails coming in from my team saying happy birthday, and it was to my manager. I had no idea it was her birthday that day. Oh, and here she she's bringing me coffee on her own birthday. So from that, that was like the first year she was my manager, and so after that, I was like, okay, I am not forgetting this. And so I made sure to obviously return the favor a few times at just like some team building events or whatever. But anyways, I just thought that was really cool. Um, and then one other thing on the professional side is that she was really great about sending birthday emails, so she would do that with a team of like five of us, so she would she had those on her calendar. If she knew you were gonna be, it was over the weekend, or she knew you were gonna be out that day. Like I always take my birthday off, so I'm never at work on a birthday. She would send it the day before to the whole team. So just uh just something small like that. Just a nice little thing to do.

SPEAKER_00 26:31

So you know, uh, as far as the birthday emails and whatnot, um, my sister was the one that taught me to use like Google Calendar or whatever um to put people's birthdays on as like an event. So you remember, and as a matter of fact, today is my niece's birthday. So um I've shot her a message to wish her a happy birthday. She is busy running around at college right now, so oh, very cool. All is yeah. Um, so she doesn't want to sit and talk to Uncle Steve, she just wants to do a thing. So I I think a fun little text and all good. Yeah. Um but it does help. Like it's so nice to oh, it's random this person's birthday, cool. Just send them a little text, like, hey, happy birthday, bud. Hope it's great, whatever. Um, I think it goes a really long way. I've had friends of mine be like, How how do you remember? I'm like, Well, I I cheat. Um, but I do it because I think everybody kind of gets that little like, oh, that's so nice of you, thank you. There is a uh uh somebody I worked with, uh no exaggeration, 15 years ago, that every year still he will send me like a LinkedIn message on my birthday, like, hey, happy birthday, bud. Hope everything's going well. I'm like, My God, that's so wild. Like, how that's so kind of you. My gosh, thank you. And you're right, small, very small. How how expensive is that text or that message? Not at all. So that's really profound that she would do that. That's such a cool thing, and that I bet that makes you feel really good. Yeah, definitely. Yeah, that's so cool. Um, uh do you want me to go? I'm sorry, did we decide that? Okay, sure. Um I was just talking about this two days ago. We had friends over um just uh do a little bit of a cookout and just enjoy the evening and that kind of thing. And we we were talking about deck furniture because we are in our 40s. That's what we talk about. And I had mentioned like uh this is actually the second iteration of deck furniture that we've had. We've only had the deck on the house here for like three years.

SPEAKER_01 29:41

How many how many couches have you gone through?

SPEAKER_00 29:47

Oh, you did you did share that on the podcast, so I can ask you about it. Yes, technically zero. We're still on the same couch. It is not nice. It's not. I'm always afraid when somebody sits on it like today's the day, isn't it? Today is the day.

SPEAKER_01 30:13

Self-destructive.

SPEAKER_00 30:15

Oh god. I I anyways, go ahead. Oh, you're fine. Well, I'm making this a longer story than it needs to be. The sincerely more condensed version of it is while our deck was being built by somebody that actually has the capabilities and know-how, not me. Um my wife and I, we ordered a um like a deck furniture set from Costco because we're big spenders. And it came all great, uh, is in the boxes and everything, so I had to put it together, no problem. Deck was done. I start pushing the stuff out there, and I realize that the deck furniture I measured incorrectly, and it was way too big. Like way too big for the space that I had. I was like, oh shoot. Was it the uh the the inches and the centimeter or the yard the yard, the feet and the honest to God, and I know there's gonna be a listener out there, it's like that's not that big of a difference, but it is a big difference. Um I was only when I was doing like the math in my head for my deck, I didn't account for the railing. Oh, like which of course is going to like feed in so sure I was thinking like, oh, then there there's gonna be like five feet of clearance here, and that's fine, except when you add in the factor of the railings and everything else, that five feet turns into like three and a half, and it's like that's not a huge difference, but it it is a difference nonetheless. So I'm like, oh shoot, and that's an exaggeration, that's not a foot and a half, whatever. So um I ended up going like I had to rent a U-Haul because there was so much stuff, and it's not that's like whatever, 20 bucks, woo. Um went to Costco with all the stuff, and this was like six months later because it was starting to get cold, so I had to store it in the basement, and so it was all good. I mean it was like unused, put it into a U-Haul, went over to Costco, and like, hey guys, like uh how does this work? Like, is there can I like somehow return this? Like, there's nothing wrong with it. Um, like I don't know. Is that even possible? Without any hesitation, they're like, Yeah, that's fine. Well, and 100% credit right back to me. Even six months later. Yep. Wow, just didn't care. And I was like, but there's nothing wrong with it. Like, sincerely, like every single, like, even the little tiny bead things that you put in like the fire pit, like all of that was included. I'm like, no, no, like it's all here. I swear to you. They're like, uh, yeah, great. You're good. Boop, it's back on your card. Wow. Very cool. Well, so what I have come to find out is that uh that is one of the hallmark things about Costco. And this is not meant to be an advertisement, I swear to God. It is just something they do, like they just have like a no-hassle return policy. Like, hey, we get it, it happens. And I flat out was like, yeah, apparently I don't know how to use uh measurements because I'm simple. Uh and they were like, totally understand. That's cool. Here you go. And honest to goodness, I picked something else out that was within the size range we wanted, and that is what we currently have. But the the funny thing is, is interestingly, the missus and I were debating about whether we should keep our membership or not. And because of that experience, we did. We kept it and we've been going with it strong ever since. But it was that small, simple thing, and it's a simple and small thing for a multi-billion dollar corporation, right? Like, yeah, whatever clank. They'll figure out some usage for it. I don't know what they're gonna do. I I don't, but that made the world to me. Yeah, I was like, whoa. So a small gesture on their behalf completely is a game changer for me. So I thought that was just utterly fascinating. I love that. That's a wow, that's a really cool, uh cool policy they have. Yeah, I uh you can look it up. Like if you go on their website, like you can actually find all the information. It's like, oh, oh, wow, cool. I thought it would be like, oh, you'll get 50% or something, like whatever. Right. But no, they're like, yeah, great. Boop, done, shipped, you're set.

SPEAKER_01 34:52

It was awesome. They could have said, like, uh, we'll give you a discount on that mask on your face.

SPEAKER_00 34:58

And they're like, but it already looks like you did get a discount down there. Because you ugly. I'm like, hey, that's cool. Yeah, that is very cool. Yeah, man. So there's my that's my personal.

SPEAKER_01 35:10

So I'll uh I'll share something. This is gonna be more recent. Um, just because I'm sure there's just probably dozens or hundreds of times where someone has done something small gesture for me throughout my life. But I'll I'll just think of something recent. Uh I had an event uh last week, actually, for my business, Zero Proof Pass. And Woohoo! Zero Proof Pass. Go get your passport today. Sorry, what? Ten dollars the rest of the year. It's half off, ten dollars zeroproofpass.com. On that note, like and subscribe Instagram. Instagram.com slash zero proofpass. We're just we are just advertising machines. I have don't have to pay for my own spot, but I maybe I will. Uh on that note, I had an event last week, Steve. Yes, and so a lot of people that were there with small business that were in networking, they were essentially there to just talk to the businesses and kind of talk about their own products. And I had some people you know come up to say, Oh, what's what's your business about? And really had some good conversations. And I had uh one gentleman come up and you know say, like, oh, this is so cool. Like I he was a he is a he still likes to drink alcohol and every now and then, but he goes, I stopped drinking during the week, and I only occasionally will have some drinks on the weekend, but I I Monday through or Sunday through Thursday or Monday through Friday, he goes, I don't have any alcohol. And he goes, This is such a cool concept. Like, thank you for coming up with this. Like it's just he goes, This is really cool to see because you know the the trends obviously people are starting to drink less and are being a little more mindful of their drinking, and it was just something small like that where I thought that was you know really cool. And uh I've had people at other events too like, oh, this is such a great idea. I never would have thought of this. Thank you for actually having the idea and then you know going through with it. So that's a thought that was pretty neat too. Um one other thing actually I can mention that it's it was personal, but it actually ties into work too. Oh, when I when when I worked in manufacturing, my first job after I left teaching, I worked in manufacturing for a few years, and we had a really cool team. There was four of us, and four guys had a lot, lots of laughs, lots of really good times with uh you know in the training department. And my manager at the time, such a good guy, he knew and this was my drinking days, and we we all like to obviously talk. We did sometimes go off for happy hours or whatever, but what he did as a gift for all of us, I think it was probably like a holiday, a Christmas gift or whatever. He and he knew that we all liked Guinness. He made us our own personalized, you know, he got you got one of the Guinness pints that you uh pint glasses that they you see all over the place, but sure he personalized it with our names on it. Oh wow. So I still use mine. I pour my Guinness Zero in there, and I still use it and you know think about that a lot. There's just a nice little, you know, something special that you're gonna remember for a while.

SPEAKER_00 38:29

So I thought that was that's so cool. Um, well, what a what a thoughtful gift, right? Yeah, um, sure. As far as your comments about individuals coming up to you with the like the zero proof pass, like, oh, we I love this idea, so cool. Um, what I really like about that is this is something I do try in my personal and professional life, like in both, is it's so easy to get caught up in the negative things, right? Like somebody did this wrong, or you go out to dinner and you got the wrong side, or something like yeah, everybody and their mom can focus on those things. Um, but when somebody does something right or well, or you can tell they put forward some effort, acknowledging that makes such a big difference, and just calling it out like they're like, hey, I saw you were doing that, you did a really nice job with this, like you thank you. And and if they're like, Wow, well, thanks, like you know, you know what? Like, it's so easy to get all the negative commentary, so it's nice when you can get a little bit of praise for something you do well, yeah. Like definitely people appreciate that, and once again, small gesture, small gesture, nothing wild and crazy, not fanfare, nothing like that. And sometimes it helps just if you know their manager to tell them. Yep, hey, heads up, they did a really nice thing. I had um, I had something happen this week that man, it was so awesome. Funny enough, it was with orientation. So uh, do you mind if I I cut in the story here quick? Okay. Yep. Um we do lunches, like when uh orientation day, we have a restaurant on campus that um they pick their order from like four menu options, whatever. Um, I go to the restaurant, I pick it up, and I hang out with them while they eat, and sometimes just shoot the breeze for you know half an hour, 45 minutes. And it so happened to be that one of the participants, uh the the new hires, um, she ordered something, and when it came, it had bacon on it, and for whatever her reasons, um, she does not eat pork. Okay, I didn't know that. I was like, oh shoot. Like, I'm gosh, I'm so sorry. Okay, so we have a couple of cafes on campus too. I was like, give me a second, let me see if I can rectify this for you. So I went, I ran down to the cafe. I'm like, Do you guys have the ability to make a grilled cheese? And uh, because that's what she thought she had ordered. Um and at first the person running the cafe is like, I don't, like, I actually don't have like a uh griddle or anything back here. Yeah, but there was another woman that was with her, and she said, Well, yeah, um, I can just make it in like the actual like industrial kitchen we have. It's like, D is that a big deal? Like, do you manage? She goes, No, I'll just make it in a pan. Like, it's not a big deal. So she was gone for like whatever, five, seven minutes, made this one sandwich, like that's it. Like, just what? And she like had it all wrapped up in aluminum foil so it'd stay warm, threw a pickle there, too. And I was like, like, it was nothing to her. She's like, I can make a damn grilled cheese, that takes nothing. Yeah, but it meant not only something so big to me because it was like, man, what a crummy first impression that this new hire is getting. Like, yeah, I sold her on the Sprite Zero and the granola, but I'm really botching the lunch bit. Um I was like, thank you so much, thank you so much. I ran it up uh to our learning center, and the new employee was like, Oh my gosh, you didn't have to do that. Like, that was so kind of you. I then made it a point to reach out to those the two uh workers, their manager, and just told them, like, hey, uh this happened. Thank you so much. Like, that was so awesome. So small gesture, huge impact, because that went from being a really crummy situation where like she's not gonna eat. You kidding? Like, we tell you we're gonna provide you a lunch and we don't. Like that sucks. Um, to a really positive experience. I would actually go as far as saying even more positive than initial. Like that employee knows, like, wow, when they say they're gonna go above and beyond, they do.

SPEAKER_01 43:24

How cool is that well, it's cool because it's almost like uh twofold there, where it was not only um the workers that went ahead and made the grilled cheese, but it was also you going to go get that problem solved. So it it you know it takes it takes a couple, so it's uh it's uh you know a good uh sentiment and also um thing that you did to start kind of the ball rolling because it could have been you could have been like I'll eat your bacon. Do you want the rest of the sandwich?

SPEAKER_00 43:54

You know, like then my face is like melting over the sandwich.

SPEAKER_01 43:58

It's weird because I I uh actually was on I was on Instagram the other day and I I follow that one woman you're talking about, and she posted how she had two lunches and she totally scammed over this company. It was great. No, but I but I think that's uh yeah, that's it's a cool that's a cool story because it's it's again going kind of above and beyond what um yeah, that maybe was what other people would have done or was necessary even, but it's again it's a small token and uh a small gesture that goes a long way because she'll she'll remember that.

SPEAKER_00 44:31

Yeah, obviously, and going forward to something that was really really well and I I know we've talked yeah, I know we've talked about it on the show here, and it's the idea that people aren't always gonna remember the things you say, but they will remember how you made them feel, yes and in this kind of a situation. I want there's nothing that I want more than new hires to go through orientation day and at the end of it go, not only did I make the right choice, but what was I doing with myself that I didn't make this choice sooner? Like, I want them to leave on like such a cloud nine high. I'm like, yeah, that's something like that's what I want. So, in that kind of a circumstance, I was hoping that would happen. Um Forgive me, did I oh I guess that'd be that could be my professional. Yeah. Because it was it that did happen professionally. Perfect. Um yeah, so I had somebody that I work with. Um she's one of my my work BFFs, if you will. Uh she said something to me that I want to share, just based on this idea of doing lunches for new staff and everything. And so she is the executive director of hospitality, which is such a cool title. And it is of her firm belief that sharing a meal is one of the most sacred acts and most primal forms of hospitality. And the way she explains it is it intertwines the primacy of like needing to have sustenance to live with trust and companionship. And it just, I don't know, every time now when I think of like you have friends over, or you have some like they are you they're trying, if you like, for example, we had friends over a couple of days ago. As I said, we were talking about my deck furniture. Um I I made I I grilled out because I love grilling out, um, but in its own odd way, they are taking a leap of faith that like I'm going to make it so they're not sick, or that I don't, you know, completely botch it, or like there is this very odd trust element to it. Um, not that I want you to start thinking of those experiences like that, but it is kind of a fascinating, like, wow, there's this companionship, and we need to do this, so we will do this together. And you need to trust me that I'm going to do this in a way that you will be healthy afterwards, too. Sure. Kind of kind of cool, like such a a really fascinating way to look at it. Uh yeah, different speed for sure. Yeah, so I don't know. So uh Rachel, if you're listening, shout out. That is neat. I like that. Yeah. Uh, did you have did you have any others?

SPEAKER_01 47:30

No, I think that was where the ones that came to the top of mind.

SPEAKER_00 47:34

So yeah, I like I said earlier, um, this was just kind of one of those things that organically happened. I think we talked about this um before we actually recorded, in that it was one of those organic things that happened. And folks, spoiler alert, a lot of the times when Patrick and I talk about a topic on here, it's because it happened recently or like something triggered the idea of like, oh, we should talk about this. Like, that's a lot of the times how this works.

SPEAKER_01 48:06

Well, and this just happened to be fun because we have we might have a list of 10 topics to talk about, but then something happens like that week when we're gonna record, and we're like, oh, we gotta bump this to the top of the list because it's fresh in our minds and we think it's more relevant. And so I think yeah, that happens all the time.

SPEAKER_00 48:22

Oh, hell yeah, man. Uh, but this uh thank you for humoring me uh for uh me muddling my way through this as best as I could. But um, I guess for all of you out there in listener land, like I guess if you have the ability to do something small, whether it's personal or professional, um, it's that reminder every year of somebody's birthday or of an event or something that can help you reach out to somebody or just impact them in just the slightest little way. Uh, my God, please do it. And I I tell you what, when this episode launches and you want to send us messages on Instagram, like let us know like what are some of those things that you're doing, or you can add it as a comment in our YouTube channel. Um, whatever you want to do.

SPEAKER_01 49:16

Honestly, I it's kind of fun to see what people respond with and let us know how some of those things have affected you what has happened to you before as well. So it's kind of cool to get those ideas. So a lot of it is it's really about those small gestures, but you don't want to take them for granted either. Because with without them, you know, it that can they can get lost in a simple a simple text, a simple note, a simple gesture. Yeah, those really add up over time.

SPEAKER_00 49:48

So that's really and important. To further, you're right. So not only can those things kind of get lost in the shuffle of things, but you might come across something and go, oh, that's a really good idea. Um oh my gosh. Uh sorry, I was about to wrap things up, but now I really have to toss this in there. I just saw a video. God, I think it was yesterday. Yes. Um, it was of this. I I think her birthday cake said 22. So oh, a wee, a wee young lass. Yes. Um she had her birthday cake, she had the candles, and you could hear a friend of hers off camera say, like, oh, do you have a birthday wish? And she goes, Well, yeah, but if I say it, it won't come true. Like, it was kind of cute, right? But what I thought was so cool about this is um the friend that said that took another candle, like not on the cake, but she must have had one in her hand, lit it with the flame that was already on the cake, and said her own little birthday wish for him, like, I hope you have the successes that you deserve this year. And then another friend did the same thing, like, I hope you get to experience the happiness that you instill in others. And then another person did like so. There was like five or six people that just all did these and like said these really nice quote unquote birthday wishes to her. That's cool. And what as I was reading the comments, I did not know this. That's actually not, I wouldn't say a common tradition, but there are a lot of people out there that have similar style traditions for birthdays that they'll do something like that. Like everybody says one thing they really appreciate about the birthday person. And I was like, Sure, oh my god, I love that. Now I would have never thought to do that if I had not seen this video. So when I say, and and Patrick, you too, when when we say, tell us some of these things that either you do or somebody has done for you that's made a big impact, you might instill somebody else to do something similar. So yeah, really cool.

SPEAKER_01 52:10

Pass passing the uh the goodness around, you know. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 52:14

Which, dude, I feel like we could all use so badly. Um, speaking of uh passes and pushes, um Patrick, do you know who has made a big impact on us with a small but mighty and powerful push? Ooh, that is spinnerusky there. That is the spinnerouski, folks! While Mr. Patrick fires up the wheel. A reminder for our listeners that each episode we spin the spinneroski. It's a wheel of names that might belong to the woman who so generously shoved Mr. Patrick and I into the Ugly Club so many moons ago. And the goal of the spinnerouski is that we will eventually land on her name so we can thank her properly. Mr. Patrick. Are we ready?

SPEAKER_01 53:04

We are. Uh it is a one in a hundred and one in one hundred and thirty-six chance to get your name called if you're on the spin roosky. So we got a lot of names this week.

SPEAKER_00 53:17

Which is so weird, uh especially with all of the weird coincidences. I know. That I know. Oh crazy. Alright, man. Spin that rooski. Feeling good about this one.

SPEAKER_01 53:41

Selena Gomez? I I I hope so. I assume so.

SPEAKER_00 53:47

I think she'd have been very young. Oh, she would have she yeah, girl. She would not have been a five. E would have probably been like four. Eight. Yeah, four. Like she was very young. But you know what, Selena? It's it's a very beautiful name. So it is a very nice. I like that one. Um, Selena, thank you so much. Thank you for living rent-free in our heads. Thank you for all you've given us. Thank you for pushing us so eloquently into the ugly club and showing Mr. Patrick and I who we really are. You're amazing.

SPEAKER_01 54:23

She would have been 14. I just looked her age up. So yeah. You're now you're now on a list.

SPEAKER_00 54:31

That's great. That's cool.

SPEAKER_01 54:34

Well, Selena, uh, the real Selena that was possibly at Boomers that night. You know, we we uh appreciate you in a backhanded type of way.

SPEAKER_00 54:48

And Joe doesn't remember you.

SPEAKER_01 54:50

Yeah, so don't don't thank him at all.

SPEAKER_00 54:54

Sorry.

SPEAKER_01 54:56

Think about us.

SPEAKER_00 55:00

Love it. Love it, love it, love it. You wanna do some shoutouts? Let's do it. Alright, you you first, man. You because I already did mine. Oh, that's it. Yeah, so it's on you, man.

SPEAKER_01 55:14

Alright, I'm gonna go ahead and uh give a shout-out to a friend and former coworker of mine. His name is Peter Labante. And I want to thank Peter for giving me two tickets to Irish Fest, which I went to over this past weekend with my parents. So that was a nice little gesture. So I always enjoyed our conversations at the office about travel, big Brewers fan, uh, and also just music. So thank you, Peter. That was very kind, uh, nice gesture that he didn't have to offer those tickets, but again, something something small that went a long way.

SPEAKER_00 55:53

Wow, and to come full circle. Yes. That's so cool. Well, Peter, uh, you sound awesome. So I will also add you as my shout-out. You sound like a delight. That's so cool, man. Well, I'm glad did you guys have fun? We had a great time, yes. Nice, that's awesome. Uh, folks out there, if you are not in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, um, one of the cool facets of the southeast Wisconsin area is that um there are tons of I guess would the term be ethnic?

SPEAKER_01 56:28

Ethnic festivals.

SPEAKER_00 56:29

Yeah. Ethnic festivals. Um, like there's a German fest, an Irish fest, Italian, right? They do Italian fest still, right? Yep. Festa Italiana. Festa. That's I'm like, Italian fest doesn't sound right. That's right. That's correct. Yeah, they do so many. And they are Mexican, Mexican Fiesta. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 56:45

That's another one. Yeah. Polish Fest. Polish Fest too.

SPEAKER_00 56:48

Yeah, there's tons of them. And uh they are genuinely really fun. Really, really fun if you ever have the opportunity to be in the area, and if you're not, I I I would recommend it all day.

SPEAKER_01 57:04

Absolutely, that's a good shot. There's yeah, every weekend. It's just so hard, so hard to pick and choose because you've got festivals all over the place. Oh, yeah. So without a doubt.

SPEAKER_00 57:15

Well, man, I think that that kind of wraps us up. You got it. Ugos, thank you so much for joining us. We hope you uh got a little something out of this, and please let us know. If you did, uh either let us know on Instagram or on YouTube or wherever you're heart LinkedIn if you really want to. But anywhere you so fancy. But uh, we appreciate you joining us, and we will see you next time. Thanks, y'all. Oh, I see it. All night long they call you Snooky Ugles.

SPEAKER_01 58:53

Oh, wait, we're singing two different songs.

SPEAKER_00 58:55

Yeah, yeah. I'm singing a really bad song from a really bad movie. Anyway, okay. All right, all right, all right. Enough of this lollygaggy. Alright, I hit record. Oh, I know, I'm just being honest.

SPEAKER_01 59:12

I thought maybe it wasn't showing up for you again.