Comments on: Lessons in Charisma From a Cruise Ship Waiter

By: banquet manager

banquet manager — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:03:41 +0000

Hello,
I just came across your blog and enjoyed it very much. I’m a banquet manager and write a blog about the daily aggravations that go with my job…from cranky chefs to nasty customers and everything in between. I hope you enjoy it. Please visit and leave a comment. Have a great day!
So You Want To Be a Banquet Manager
banquet manager´s last blog ..Chicken Filled With Cocaine

By: Srinivas Rao

Srinivas Rao — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:31:51 +0000

@Hulbert: I’m glad you found it useful. This guy really blew me away in terms of customer service. Every single night I looked forward to dinner and the waiter was a really integral part of that.
Srinivas Rao´s last blog ..Lessons in Charisma From a Cruise Ship Waiter

By: Hulbert

Hulbert — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:28:31 +0000

Hi Srinirao, very nice story. You are a lucky guy to go on a Caribbean cruise with 5-start service! That magician that you mentioned is awesome. The way he entertained the table with magic tricks shows that he wants to keep people in a positive mood. That’s something that I admire and is a good trait to have in a person. Thanks for sharing this story.
Hulbert´s last blog ..13 Reasons to Stop Complaining

By: srinirao

srinirao — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:38:46 +0000

@Dave: I think that charisma is something that can absolutely be cultivated. There’s many resources out there that can help us in that regard and I’ll plan on incorporating bits and pieces into my weekly series.

@Sara: I think one way to remember names is to make some sort of connection with the name and something about that person (e.g. surfer dude srini). When you really start to think about giving value to everybody you meet ,it’s amazing how they open up to you.

@Mighty: One trick that I have for not remembering somebody’s name is I’ll introduce them to another person who is next to me who I do know by name. Then I’m off the hook.

By: Mighty

Mighty — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 05:11:59 +0000

I have a problem, too, in remembering people’s names. It’s just funny sometimes when some people whose face I recognize start talking with me. I try to keep it casual but at the back of my mind, I keep trying to match the face with the name. It’s difficult work.

i might need a Caribbean cruise to develop this skill! hahah.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:16:33 +0000

What a great post! I have a problem remembering people’s names – I’m great at remembering all the little, itty-bitty details about them, but not their names. It’s really frustrating. But to make up for this, I often mention something about the person to show that I do actually remember and value them.
I think that’s what it all comes down to – being valued. Everyone likes to feel valued and that’s what I think charisma is: making others feel valued. I’d love to read a series of posts on it.
Sarah´s last blog ..Dodgy electricity.

By: Dave Doolin

Dave Doolin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:33:12 +0000

Charismatic Communicators. Do it. I’ll read every one of those articles.

Charisma is something that can be cultivated.

Consider learning from Billy Graham. He put an astounding amount of work into delivering his message. For example, he would row out into the middle of a lake, by himself, to practice delivery – timing, intonation – of his preaching.

Also check out Will Smith’s video on success, which can be found on Youtube.
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Lurkers, Saboteurs & Gauntlets… it’s Two Weeks in Review!

By: srinirao

srinirao — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:21:56 +0000

@Henri: It’s amazing what good customer service can do for an organization. It sets them apart so dramatically that people will often pay more for something just because the customer service is good.

@Vanessa: I would think that would make a dramatic impact on the charisma you have in your interactions. It’s amazing how powerful that is in terms of making people feel connected.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:09:16 +0000

One of the best bits of advice I have ever received was when I was reminded that there is nothing sweeter to people than the sound of their own name.

I worked for a land development company and the entitlements attorney said that she kept a file of everyone that she met while trying to get by in for projects and noted their name and everything she could remember about them. I think it may be time for me to start implementing the same thing!
Vanessa´s last blog ..Multi-tasking is Crap. I’m Out to Prove It!

By: Henri

Henri — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:16:48 +0000

Awesome post, Srini. I just love good customer service. A company that doesn’t take care of its customers doesn’t deserve them. I’ve discovered that I’m somehow horrible at remembering names the first time I hear them, but after that I never forget them.

Just being human and making people your closest friends can do wonders. Throw down all the walls and enjoy!
Henri´s last blog ..4 Simple Ways to Enhance Your Intuition