Get your shine on!
As many of you know, I’ve got a pretty good collection of dress shoes. I must admit though that the first time I had my shoes shined by someone else, was only a few years ago. I had passed by the elevated black leather chairs at Denver International Airport many times thinking I should try that someday. I was typically in a hurry to get to my gate (I’m notorious for cutting it close on my airport arrival times), or in the cases I did have time, I was wearing sandals or sneakers (which I didn’t know could be shined). Finally on a business trip, I planned accordingly - giving myself ample time to make my flight and wearing a pair of scuffed up and dirty dress shoes. Not knowing what to expect, to say, or to ask for, I was a bit nervous. Those feelings subsided though as I approached the stand and saw a brightly colored “Love” sign that piqued my curiosity, then a friendly lady named Janice greeted me with a warm smile.
As Janice took great care to make my shoes look new again, she struck up easy conversation, asking questions and sharing her story with me about leaving teaching and how she was happier than ever shining shoes for a living. She talked glowingly about how she felt valued and had the opportunity to essentially operate her own business within the company. At the end when I asked how much I owed, Janice responded by saying, “Whatever you would like to pay!” Taken aback, I asked, “What do you mean? How much do you charge for this service?” She said “We operate on a give-give model. We give our best because it makes us feel good, so we just ask that give what makes you feel good.”
Jill Wright is the owner of Executive Shine which currently operates all shoeshine services at both the Denver and Charlotte airports. She started her company at 20 years old with a contract in Washington DC and has grown it into an incredible business. She credits the success she has had to taking care of people. In a conversation, she told me that she learned a long time ago, that if you want people to show up, you have to connect with their heart. She knows all of her employees personally and takes time to listen and learn what is important to each of them. She teaches them how to connect with customers, and stresses that they provide “Soul to Sole” services going beyond just the shine. She talks lovingly about them, telling stories of team members who started with her in their teens and are still with her today. Or those who came to her unhappy and seeking a career change and have found joy while making a good living shining shoes.
In addition to her shoeshine business, Jill has another company called The Shine Experience, where she offers leadership training and team building for companies bringing her “powered by love” philosophy to the corporate world. We had the pleasure of having her along with two of her longest tenured team members, Jonathan, and Tara, come to share their experience with us at Footers. It was inspiring to see their desire to serve others, the pride they had in teaching us how to shine shoes, and their genuine passion for connecting with people.
There are several leadership lessons we can learn from Jill and her team. How to get people to give their best, the importance of connecting at a human level, and the impact of valuing people for more than the job they do. What stood out most to me though was the idea that people are often like shoes that need to be shined. What is on the outside, isn’t necessarily what is on the inside, but when you give both a little love, you allow what’s underneath to shine! I now make it a point when I fly to see Jonathan, Tara or Janice for a little love for my shoes and a lot of love for my soul!
Do your leadership skills need a little polish?
Join Anthony and the MIBE team at Footers Catering this August for a chance to attend our Heart Leadership Workshop that will challenge you to step out of your comfort zone, and leave you feeling inspired to reach your highest potential as a leader.
