The Pop Up Lab

Today’s post will be a topic about a real life case study on leadership that I experienced at a pit stop while in “my university on wheels”.   As with other posts I will not mention the names of the people or the place involved.   The experience took place when I pulled off the road to clean my windshield at a convenience store. After getting out from behind the wheel, I hopped out to grab the windshield squeegee --- the wash station was out of washer fluid.  Has that ever happened to you?  For me - too many times!  No problem, there were five other stations at the store,  so I went  to the next bucket, another bucket and finally to the forth bucket all empty.    

Lesson one “don't be afraid to ask for help”.  I put the squeegee into the forth bucket and went inside the store, I asked the clerk behind the counter “do you have any washer fluid for your buckets”? She looked at me as if I were talking a different language!

Lesson two: “when in charge take charge” Within a few seconds, a person to the right of me said “absolutely we have fluid let me get you some”  I turned towards the voice thinking I would see the shift manager or store manager - however, I was greeted by a lady with a name tag designating her as a district manager.  She was rearranging a display, stopped what she was doing and said “I will get it for you”.  

Lesson three: “show what right looks like”  she rhetorically asked the clerk at the counter if the store had any in the back room, and the district manager walked to the back to retrieve more washer fluid.  I did not have to wait very long. The washer fluid buckets were refilled. I was able to leave the convenience store with a clean windshield and a smile on my face after observing leadership in action. 

Sometimes your “university on wheels”  provided a “hands on“ lab experience.  

Until Next Time, Listen and Learn