The Waiter Rule also applies to the way peopletreat hotel maids, mailroom clerks, bellmen and security guards. Au BonPain co-founder Ron Shaich, now CEO of Panera Bread, says he wasinterviewing a candidate for general counsel in St. Louis. She was"sweet" to Shaich but turned "amazingly rude" to someone cleaning thetables, Shaich says. She didn't get the job.
Shaich says any time candidates are beingconsidered for executive positions at Panera Bread, he asks hisassistant, Laura Parisi, how they treated her, because some applicantsare "pushy, self-absorbed and rude" to her before she transfers thecall to him.
I generally agree with this rule up to a point. I expect to be treated politely as well. And I have encountered quite a few pushy self-absorbed and rude secretaries in my time.
However the article as a whole makes a very good point. In fact I know of someone who was fired because he treated the admin staff of his employer like dirt. I think that it was the right thing for the employer to do.
The lesson is important. Learn it.
Post new comment