It’s just a salt shaker… or is it?
At first glance, it’s nothing special; every home and restaurant has one. Unassuming. Ordinary. Easy to overlook.
A few weekends ago, my wife and I took a getaway to Skamania Lodge overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. We dressed up, ordered a bottle of wine, and settled into one of those deep conversations that make date nights so good.
Our waiter immediately picked up on our vibe. After bringing our water and wine, he reached across the table, placed the salt shaker in the center, and said:
“I can tell you’re here to connect and don’t want to be interrupted. If you need anything, just move the salt shaker to the edge of the table. That’ll be my signal to come by.”
Simple. Thoughtful. Brilliant.
We loved it, and it worked perfectly. Each time we needed something, we’d move the shaker. Within a minute, he was there. Then he’d quietly move it back to the center when we were all set. This little ritual was repeated a few times through the evening, and it made the whole experience feel effortless.
That waiter got it. He was tuned in, present, and intentional about creating an exceptional experience.
It made me think:
What subtle “salt shaker” signals are your clients giving you, and how are you responding to serve them beyond expectations?
Needless to say, he got a great tip that night. And next time we visit, we’ll be smiling as we move that salt shaker to the middle.
#businesscoaching #leadership #columbiarivergorge #pnw #skamanialodge #customerexperience #goingaboveandbeyond #serviceexcellence
