The Power We Have to Change Perception
Earlier this week, on the way back from a meeting, we stopped at Smoothie King.
After placing our orders from the drive through window, the young woman handed us our tray and said “I'm sorry about the wait.”
Each of the smoothies was labeled with permanent marker, and on the tray was another hand-written message that said, “We appreciate you," with a tiny heart.
Before this visit, my perception of Smoothie King was shaped by a different, often-closed location in another state. I assumed the chain might be struggling.
However, this visit prompted me to research further. I learned that Smoothie King operates as a franchise with about 1,200 locations nationwide. Interestingly, despite my initial assumption, they have continued expanding, opening 100 new locations in 2024 alone.
This single experience, at a single location, shifted my knowledge and my perception of the entire company.
As leaders at any level (of our organization, of our neighborhood, or of our community), we have this opportunity too.
A neighborhood once perceived as unwelcoming can feel warm with a single pan of cookies.
A company once thought to care only about the bottom line can feel different with a single empathetic leader.
A belief that 'there's nothing we can do' can change when a small group unites behind a shared mission.
February is the perfect time to consider ways that we can make an impact through the first invitation of Expansive Impact, which is Be Compassionate: Lead with Love.
This month, I invite you to think about one small way you can shift someone’s perception—through a kind word, a moment of connection, or an act of generosity.
