They called my wife and I up to the airport gate podium to announce that there was a seat in “1D” and that one of us could sit in First Class if we wanted to split up.
It felt so good to tell my wife that she should take this available seat. I would rather she enjoy it. After all, it was no big deal. I was in “Comfort Plus”, so I still had a little more leg room.
The flight was enjoyable— and even more enjoyable because I had done something for someone else. As a leader, I have always tried to do that. Your people love to see that you will do something for them that treats them like “royalty”.
That’s what “servant leadership” is all about when you are at work at your organization. What can you do that gives others a hand up to not only accomplish their work, but enjoy what they’re doing?
I should also mention that I never complained to my wife. It was not a problem that there is a difference between where she was in First Class and me in the coach section of the plane. I did not complain, but I did point out some of the differences between her seat in First Class and mine in Coach:
1. My seat wasn’t as wide as hers.
2. My video screen was smaller.
3. They served me Folgers instead of Starbucks.
4. There was less Memory Foam in my seat.
5. My snacks were beyond the shelf date.
6. There was more “rough air” back there.
7. The people on each side of me didn’t smile as much.
8. The flight attendants were still reading Level I training books.
9. There were no air vents, so we had hand fans to use if it got hot.
10. I had trouble breathing. I think there’s less oxygen back there.
Of course, none of the items on the list above are true, but just as I think there should be humor in the workplace, I attempted a little humor in the air space.
