It’s been a while since I posted anything, but the wireless is not working at the moment. I am enjoying my new job, despite being far from home. I call home a lot and we email and skype back and forth.
I’m learning a lot as a secretary at a Christian camp. Some of this is business learning. I’m learning to be more comfortable talking on the phone and how to be a marketer of events and opportunities at the farm- how to promote things and spread the word. I’m learning to be more professional in my speech and actions. I’m learning that it’s okay to ask for help or more explanation if I don’t understand. I’m also learning how to politely but firmly tell salesmen that we’re not interested (thank you, parents, for the example!).
Some of the things I’m learning are not so much business- although they are tied together. I’m learning how to be gracious with people who aren’t. I got my first call the other day from someone who wasn’t happy. They were practically yelling over the phone to me and I listened for 15 minutes. All I could do was listen because I didn’t really know the details of her experience here. I told her how sorry I was that she had a bad experience here, thanked her for her feedback, and told her that I would pass it on (which I did). I think she hung up happier and a little more calm than when she called. And, she’s coming back to the farm.
People are hard to deal with sometimes. If we respond to them in the same manner, then nothing will get better. The Bible says that a soft answer turns away wrath. It’s so true! If I had gotten angry or defensive with that lady, she would have written us off and never come back. I haven’t had to deal with very many people like this before.
So, I’m learning to be gracious.
Scribblings of a Sojourner 