Retail Demi-God: Recent Episodes
Nadine Thomas
We slowly become accustomed to what we like- and like it a little less. If I only ate my favourite food I’d miss out on other essential nutrients and get scurvy. Somehow, nature pushes us away from what we’d like to do forever, so we aren’t found dead with an Xbox controller in our hand. Understanding this allows you to relax in a situation that doesn’t shine quite like it used to. I could not wait for my second shift in deli. Two and a half years later, the department isn't as exciting.
As I move further and further into habit and automation, I hope to identify what I love about this job and look at it- lest it camouflage into the place I call ‘work’.
Nadine Thomas
Retail Demi-God
I know what leadership looks like. Adults took my lead as soon as I was born. We rely on the leadership of caretakers for years after birth, unlike animals born with behaviour programmed in their DNA. We also learn from observation and the great teachers, Pain and Pleasure. Once mature, we have the opportunity to challenge what we've learned.
Three months ago I applied for a promotion and was unsuccessful. I received feedback on my interview including my main opportunity for growth... I have been challenged to develop my business leadership. The leadership I've observed in others, the books I've read, the quotes I know haven't made me an effective leader. I still get overwhelmed, passive and frustrated like, a lot.
As I grew up, I learned to use my passivity to avoid conflicts and enjoy the security of my social circle. To develop business leadership, that tendency needs to be challenged. When a challenge at work requires that I be assertive and directive, I often feel cortisol warning me that I'm about to threaten my social 'safety'. No amount of quotes or leadership books negate this feeling if you have learned as I have. We cannot get under or over it, we are going to make our way through it. Meanwhile, let's develop our manager mind.
This episode shares the few ways I am moving towards effective leadership. I welcome you outside your comfort zone, into the world of leadership. Thank you Pain for guiding us so carefully, and thank you Pleasure, for our desire to lead with integrity, grace and effectiveness.
Nadine Thomas
Retail Demi-God
Loss of sleep, for even one night, increases inflammation in the body. Getting a good nights sleep, even for one night, is a miracle these days. Inflammation is healing until it becomes chronic. Chronic inflammation can cause Neurological disorders, like Parkinson's, cardiovascular, bone, muscular and skeletal diseases to name a few. An 'early' bedtime is under constant attack from un+necessary activity. When we're in the deep realms of sleep, the alarm wakes us and says "You should have gone to bed earlier." This order of events is routine. Should I attempt to change it OR begin an anti-inflammatory diet?
This episode advocates anti-progress supplements. Yes, let's adore the word progress; adorn it with fine robes and jewels...while valuing the other words, like self care and deep relaxation. Valuing can simply mean 'conceptual appreciation'. Most of us value self care and deep relaxation and most of us are sleep deprived, stressed, commanding ourselves to give our best each day- falling into bed when Mr. Day has had enough of us. Yes, self care and deep relaxation are valued but when will they be met with commitment?
In reality, working full-time and having external commitments can put your health at risk- unless you make time to refuel. Especially when the night has much to offer, other than preparing a healthy lunch and preparing for bed. "Just one more YouTube documentary (3 more then 1 more, the last being so disturbing my thoughts smash into each other for an hour afterwards- I want to run to use the adrenaline but I dare not let the night last longer so I'll lay in bed wishing I could turn the light, my body and brain, off."
In Episode Five we view our wild, short-term oriented, progress obsessed self, as a wild horse. Behind the scenes, we'll go to an Equestrian outlet and purchase black boots and cream pants. We will train our wild horse to be satisfied with a lifestyle that supports our divine aspirations. We may be far away from burnout and related health issues but hey, let's guide our wild horse down a different path. Just tHINk of the chILDREn (customers, team-members and those around you)! The fast life is addictive. As I'm writing, I feel I could enjoy my way, wide awake, through the next 20 years at least. My body is showing mild signs of chronic inflammation. I hear you, body. I understand you, wild horse. Just 1 more YouTube documentary then I'll go read a book.
Nadine Thomas
Retail Demi-God
When things happen that SHOULDN'T happen: a damaged coke can spilling in aisle three JUST when I've ended my shift // A pallet of 12 kilo boxes being EXTRA high today: My professional self is at the mercy of my primal emotions.
I need to improve my digestion of unsavoury occurrences.
In retail, challenging things occur all the time. I invite you to use these moments to strengthen your professionalism- without adding extra chronic, to chronic stress.
Our animalistic self would like to get super mad and beat these situations into submission. Remember the time you threw that butcher's gumboot against the wall because it DARED to prevent getting stock through the door?!
These animalistic impulses will always be with us. They have guarded our DNA for aeons...We have high ideals of how life should work for us. We expect ease, convenience, respect and success. When life shows us the opposite, our unmet expectations cause colourful stress. Life showed me the opposite, when I expected to be temporarily promoted. This recent fall from grace taught me a few things...fall with me in episode four.
Nadine Thomas
Retail Demi-God
Companies compete for our cash. This entitles us to more bang for our buck. Our sundae glass is filled with quality goods, but to compete, companies must serve it will sprinkles and a cherry on top- in other words, our entire ‘customer experience‘, in-store and online must be sweet.
A Gartner survey found that, in 2017, 89% of companies compete mostly on the basis of customer experience, versus 36% only four years ago.
“Voice of the Customer” collects an abundance of customer feedback, allowing my company to deliver an even better customer experience. Exploring this topic has altered my values. Every interaction with a customer is my time to shine. How can I provide an awesome experience for the customer in front of me? What is their shopping journey like- how can our team elevate the experience for all?
Maybe our new role, is to bring the earth bound customer, closer to heaven. What a delightful use of energy.
Nadine Thomas
Retail Demi-God
We come from a lineage of humans who behaved as their instincts directed.
Now, we’re entrusted to be the face of our brand, satisfy customers and management, manage large operations, co-operate and do the right thing – every time.
Our inner primate does not want to sign on the dotted line.
A doorway is left open for us to feel opposing emotions to the enthusiastic submission often expected in customer service & the like.
Sometimes, we modify our behaviour, #smileandnod, while condemning the situation in a way no one notices.
This is almost the solution.
Three popular doorways to this primal suffering are archetypal ways of working:The Slave, The Swimmer and The Sloven. Conversely, three archetypal portals: The CEO, The Strategist and the Steward, facilitate the quantum leap from Caveman to Retail Demi-God.
This episode is your physiotherapist.