You Can't Force Someone to be Something They Aren't
By FloatingGum
@FloatingGum (346)
United States
March 3, 2007 5:35am CST
We just got a memo basically telling us how to act to guests. The funny thing is, the person who wrote the memo is someone I have had guests describe as "phony".
Which leads me to believe you can't force someone to be something they aren't. People see through it. You can't send a memo around and expect that people can change their personalities. My opinion is that you will get the phoniness people can see through. If personalities are important, look for that quality when hiring.
What do you think?
2 people like this
5 responses
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
4 Mar 07
I guess when it comes to customer service, the impression and helpfulness is what counts most - at least thats the way I see it. But the bottom line is I would rather deal with someone that is a little abrasive and forward than someone that is fake. That's just me, other people may want to be treated with kid gloves and like royalty.
1 person likes this
@ShadyGrove (996)
• United States
3 Mar 07
Some people just like to push paper and feel important.
They probably think that are "all that" and think they need to "help" other people be more like them! lol
Personality is very important in the service industry - of course some people look good in an interview, and you find out later just how they really are.
1 person likes this
@alexdiazgranados (678)
• United States
12 Mar 07
'Tis true. You can't place a square peg into a round hole, or "make" anyone - whether employer or employee - be someone he or she is not. You can - at best - ask others to adjust their behavior (or at least try to), and you can impose a dress code...but total personality makeovers? Impossible.
@freesoul (3021)
• Egypt
8 Mar 07
I think anyone with just a little effort can be nice and helpful when they are required to; even if they normally aren't, pretending to be friendly all of the time doesn't always work and they will sound phony as you said, so i agree that in hotels or any public services jobs the management should look for the people with the right attitude when hiring and not ask them to be what they are not.
@kelly60 (4547)
• United States
6 Mar 07
To an extent, as in customer service jobs an employer can expect that employees will at the very least they treat the customers kindly. I wouldn't expect them to go overboard though.
I know what you mean though. When I was working as a cashier I was told repeated to treat my customers this way or that way. If it wasn't natural, I didn't do it. I would have felt phony and didn't want to come off that way. If something doesn't feel right, I don't do it.
