Great, Good, and Bad Employees

Every time I lay down for a massage, like I did today, I immediately ask myself “why don’t I do this more often?” As my body melts into the heated table, and my face settles into the support of the headrest, I begin to regret all those days that I convinced myself not to book one (usually because of the cost). And as the masseuse commences her work with gentle rubs, softening me up for an hour of much needed therapy, I tell myself “from now on I’m going to make this a regular thing.”

But almost as soon as I make that promise, it’s contradicted by the erratic and thoughtless work of the masseuse, who has ignored everything I told her, and reminds me why I always hesitate to commit to such a high ticket service. My expectations are almost never met. Nine out of ten times my experience doesn’t match the price I pay. And it’s for that reason that I put off such extravagance. 

In every profession there are three types of workers. Great ones, good ones, and bad ones. The great ones empathize with their clients. They know what they need without being told. The good ones listen to what their clients tell them they need, and get to work on addressing it. The bad ones have no ability to feel their clients, they’re not interested in hearing their clients, and they are only there to get a job done.

A great masseuse can sense what you need by touch. A good ones works on the problem areas you discussed beforehand. A bad masseuse is just there to follow their routine.

It’s not lost on me that complaining about a massage is a privilege. But I just think there is a lesson to be learned here. Not everyone can be great, but anyone can be good by just listening and being attentive. If you’re starting out in a career and you’re looking to move up the chain, stay focused on the needs of your clients. Hear what they are telling you, and check in regularly to make sure that you are addressing their concerns. Most times clients aren’t going to stop and tell you what you’re doing wrong.

Especially if they are anything like me. At the end of my massage I said thank you, and left a nice tip representative of her time and effort. But I will never book another service with them. It’s on you to make sure you’re doing a good job.