Day 4: Favorite Quote

"You can tell the true character of a man by how he treats someone who can do nothing for him."  At least that's how I remembered it.  I don't know how first said it. I saw it on Pinterest and loved it.  So, I Googled the quote and found this site.

I love it because it's so true. I guess we are always taught to treat others well, but I had never heard it put quite this way.  We all know the people in life who are basically kiss-asses to people who are higher up than them or people who can lend them money or watch their kids when needed, etc. But then they treat others in a much different way.  I have always admired those people who can turn from their boss to the lowest-level worker and act equally as kind and give equal effort to that relationship.

Obviously, it's just the right thing to do. 

However, when I saw this quote on Pinterest, it reminded me of a time at work when living by this quote (unconsciously) served me well.  Because of that experience, this quote is the #1 lesson I would teach to a young professional. Sometimes, you realize that those people who could "do nothing for you" actually CAN do something for you...you just don't know it yet.  I went through a very hard time at work with a co-worker that I will not delve into because this is a public blog.  It became an issue of she-said, she-said and my boss had to figure out who was more credible.  That is when he would ask anyone and everyone who interacted with me whether or not I was truthful or kind or credible. He asked them what I was like in my classroom.  I quickly realized that the way I acted around every single individual--from the bus driver to the boss--mattered.  That is what makes up your reputation---OTHER PEOPLE.  It's mind-boggling how recursive that is. Your actions make up your character. But others' perceptions of your actions is what actually counts.

Another facet of this is that I have built great relationships with people who can "do nothing for me" BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO and then years later, they have a connection to something that I want.  Crazy how that works sometimes.

I have been GREAT at acting out the principles of this quote at times. Other times, I find myself lacking. Usually I am just in a bad mood or I'm distracted or something. But I need to work on having integrity upon EVERY interaction that I have. Even just at the grocery store or when I'm ordering from Taco Bell. (If you read my fitness posts, you chuckled a little because you know I DON'T ORDER FROM TACO BELL!)

Anyway. That's my quote. I likey.