My garage door is (I mean WAS) dirty
Check out the opening to a letter I just got from the guy who works for our homeowners association to which I pay homeowners dues….
During a recent visit to your community, the following infraction was noticed, which is a violation of the covenants and guidelines etc etc etc.
Man, I felt like I should be doing the perp walk. I shared this with my daughter who remarked, “couldn’t they just say we were driving by and noticed your garage door had a stain on it. Could you please wash it within 14 days as noted in our community guidelines.”
In other words, couldn’t they write it in such a way to not sound like some two-bit tin-horn rent-a-cop? Umm, no my dear. Some people get groggy with power, however little it may be and this is what you get.
The lesson here is to check your out going correspondence for belligerent language and to remind you of the power of words. What you say and how you say it matters. Or as grandma used to say..you get more with honey.
Yes, I cleaned the door but the guy has drawn a line between us. Who knows when he might want me on his side? Guess who will not be on that side of the line…..
"What can I say…. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You were definitely a big hit, as I knew you would be. I will highly recommend you for other speaking engagements and for other chapter events."
Tamika C. Carter, PHR
Associate Director, Construction HR
The Associated General Contractors of America