An experienced barber wanted to pass on his skill so he took on an apprentice. This young apprentice learned for 3 months and he thought he was ready. So the mentor barber granted him to take on his 1st customer.
The young apprentice gave his best hair cut to the customer. However, after looking at the finished hair cut, the customer wasn’t very happy and said, “Isn’t my hair still too long?” The young apprentice didn’t know what to say.
The mentor barber smiled and said, “Sir, you look better with a bit longer hair than shorter.” With that comment the customer was happy to hear that and left satisfied.
Now, the young apprentice took on the 2nd customer. He, again, gave his best shot but the customer seemed not so thrilled about his hair cut. So he said, “I think you trimmed my hair too short.” The young barber didn’t know what to say again.
The mentor barber intervened in and said, “Sir, your hair looks better short because it makes you look more approachable and clean.” With that comment, the customer left happy and satisfied.
The young barber took on the 3rd customer. This time he kept in mind what happened with his two other customers and gave his another best shot. This time the customer was very satisfied with his hair cut and said, “Young man, you did a great job in such a short time. I am impressed!”
The young barber didn’t know what to say even when a compliment was given and again, the mentor barber quickly replied, “We are aware that all our customers are busy and thus, every minute counts for us. He gave his best in shortest amount of time for you” and with that the customer left very satisfied.
When everyone gone, the mentor barber debriefed what happened. He told the young barber, “There are two sides to every situation. There are positive side as there are negative side. You win some and lose some. You can praise while reprimand. Today, I was pleasing the customers while teaching you.”
I am reminded of how powerful words can be when it is given at right time, to right person, and in right attitude. Proverb 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (NIV).
I wonder how my words are to people around me. I hope and pray I speak in gentle and loving way. God bless you my friends!