Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
Matthew 5:41
When Jesus walked the earth, the law stated that a Roman soldier could not compel a citizen to carry their gear more than one mile. Jesus used this as an example to challenge people’s thinking to do more than settle for the least. This became known as “going the extra mile,” or doing more than is expected of you.
If you were to outline expectations of what your customers, company, or supervisor might consider meeting expectations, what would that list look like? How would you judge if you were missing, meeting, or exceeding expectations? Consider grading yourself on a scale of 1-10 from the following list, which is taken from “The Law of Relationship” in my best-selling book PERSUADE. Customize the questions to whom you serve in your business and then grade yourself.
EXPECTATIONS
1-10
- Being late or unprepared __
- Letting problems go unresolved __
- Failing to notice signals of dissatisfaction __
- Forgetting to watch over the little things __
- Paying attention to details __
- Keeping your promises __
- Showing up on time, informed, and prepared __
- Calling back even if you don’t have an answer __
- Uncovering their need before sharing your need __
- Listening, then following instructions __
- Making good (and then some) on mistakes that were made __
- Asking for feedback on how to improve __
- Surprising people with gestures of appreciation __
- Remembering what is important and acting on it __
REFLECT TO CONNECT
- Whom do you need to over-deliver for this week?
- What area of expectations do you need to improve upon?
- How would those you serve grade you on your ability to meet and exceed expectations?
The bar of expectation is usually hidden within plain sight.
Doing more than is expected causes people to think more of you.
