The Hospitality Professional’s Pledge

By feature writer Bryan K. Williams

From this day forth, I will be ashamed if I intentionally give anything less than my best. I have value, and was not put on this earth to begrudgingly exist. No, I was put here to make a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of others. Every book I’ve read, every class I’ve attended, and every lesson I’ve learned was not for me alone. I was blessed with such knowledge so I may use it to bless others. Otherwise, if I keep it to myself, I am being selfish. Yes, I am being unprofessional.

To be professional is what I am called to be. To take pride in my work is what I am called to do. Henceforth, I will always do more than is expected of me. I will not rely on my mood of the day to dictate how I go about my work. Like the wind, my mood will shift. Consistency can not…must not shift. And professionals are consistent.

My work is my brand. How I make others feel is my brand. The manner in which I do my work is my brand. Each morning when I awake, I will be grateful for yet another day to make a positive contribution to the world. Each night, when I’m in bed, I will assess my day to see if anyone’s day was any better because of some contribution I made. The contribution can be as simple as opening a door for someone or giving a kind word to a stranger. The door that I opened may be the only kind deed that person experienced all year. That kind word to a stranger, may have helped rescue someone from a state of depression.

As a professional, I will not measure my success by the compensation or gratitude I receive from who I served. To do that is to set myself up for failure and heartache, because not every good deed will be acknowledged. Instead, I will give and serve because I demand that love pervades the very intention of my actions. Whatever my job may be, let me perform it with love, and I will not fail.

Beginning today, I will read these words, and they will help me re-focus on how precious this day truly is:
Today… enthusiastically and gratefully celebrate that I woke up.

• Today…begin by loving myself, then let that same love guide how I treat others (regardless if they deserve it or not).
• Today…do one thing for one customer, with absolute perfection…then repeat.
• Today…tell one colleague that I value them and why.
• Today…tell one customer that I value them and why.
• Today…tell myself that I value myself and why.
• Today…serve each person with excellence and not adjust my eagerness, kindness or attentiveness based on how "important" I believe a particular customer is.
• Today…make it my minimum expectation to exceed everyone else's expectations.
• Today…don't just serve…don't just engage…but truly honor each person I serve.
• Today…graciously appreciate that no one else in the world can serve exactly like me, and be proud of that difference.
• And when the day comes to a close, ask myself, "Did I make a positive, meaningful, and memorable difference in anyone's life today?"

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not promised. All I have is today. And if I do nothing else, I will ensure that on this day, the world will know I am here.

About Bryan K. Williams

Dr. Bryan K. Williams is the Chief Service Officer of B.Williams Enterprise, and the author of Work Like You Own It! 20 Ways to Go From Meeting to Exceeding Your Customers' Expectations and Engaging Service: 22 Ways to Become a Service Superstar. Bryan's passion is world-class customer service, and has facilitated workshops and delivered keynotes all over the world for various companies.  He speaks on a variety of topics related to service excellence, employee engagement, and organizational improvement.  As a consultant, Bryan works closely with companies to design, develop, and implement sustainable service strategies. His company's online store includes a growing collection of customer service products that are well-suited for your training library.

Both of Bryan's books can be purchased at http://shop.bwenterprise.net/.