Grace Periods

My friend Robin and I were talking about the notion of “grace periods” the other day.  She was struggling with the notion that during a “grace period” she was still getting charged a fee by someone.  When is a grace period not so graceful, I guess.  But the discussion got me thinking about the notion of grace periods and its one I’m going to try and practice more myself.

We live in a RIGHT NOW time.  Part of the may be that technology makes everything so immediate, part of it may be that we’re all so overwhelmed with STUFF that we just want to get things done, part of it may be that we’re all too hopped up on Starbucks and Headshots. Whatever the reason, as business people and human beings, we need to take Sergeant Hulka’s advice and “lighten up, Francis.”  We need to try and give folks grace periods.

Just as we’d expect a fee to be waived if we’re being offered grace, we need to let go whatever negative things might occur during, say, an employee’s grace period.  Besides being nice, it’s smart.  The other day, I got my phone bill and there was a call I’d made on there for which I was being charged more than the entire monthly bill (I didn’t know calls to Canada weren’t included in my plan).  I called customer service and was given an immediate half credit for the call – a little grace period by them to a relatively new customer who is learning the limits.  Am I now a long-term customer?  You bet.

I’ve talked to employees before about a “karmic bank account” – goodwill we all bank by doing nice things for others.  At some point we all write checks against our balance by doing stupid, insensitive, or misguided crap.  Those grace periods are what lets us make deposits.

How’s your karmic bank account today?  What actions by a supplier or employee or client or friend can you let slide and make a deposit?  We all need those grace periods and unlike Robin’s, they need to be truly fee-free!