A couple weeks ago an experience taught me the value of being flexible around expectations I have.
I was flying into Winnipeg and then driving to deliver a couple workshops on Conflict Management in Sioux Lookout Ontario.
I speak in Winnipeg usually twice a month and my rental with National Rent a Car on a previous trip was this great Volvo coupe. It had it all, or so I thought: stylish, sunroof, great handling, the most ergonomic seats I’d ever ridden in.. it was just one of those cars that makes you feel good.
So with the prospect of a 5 hour drive to Sioux Lookout and then 5 hours back to Winnipeg I did something I had never done before: I phoned the Winnipeg Airport Location in advance and placed my preference for a Volvo with them. They noted it and said that if one was available it would be mine.
So the Sunday came and I arrived in Winnipeg excited about my drive. I approached the counter and introduced myself to the gentleman behind it. He gathered my file, looked up and said: “Mr Benjatschek, I see here you requested a first class car for your long trip today. We are going to deliver that for you. Unfortunately none of the specific Volvos you requested have been returned to us but I am going to place you in a Luxurious Ford Taurus.”
Sorry Ford , but the first thought that came to my mind was “isn’t putting Luxury and Ford Taurus in the same sentence an oxymoron?!!”
Suspiciously, I took the keys and started to walk toward the lot, all along pondering what I was going to say when I discovered a Plain Ford Taurus and went back inside to call his bluff and ask for a different car.
As you might guess, I never went back inside. All that I can say is: Ford.. You’ve changed!!
Getting to my car I didn’t see the plain jane ride I was expecting but instead discovered a very stylish sedan with an ultra comfortable leather interior, sunroof and Satellite Radio.. a must for driving the rolling hills of Hwy 17 North. I wasn’t the only one who thought it was a great car .. I stopped for a Tim’s on the way out of Winnipeg and when I came back out of the store with my coffee there was a group of men standing around my rental car and quickly asking: “is this baby yours?”
The ride was smooth and I went there and back on ONE TANK of GAS. Incredible.
This was not the FORD Taurus I knew.
Sometimes when we stubbornly insist on previous expectations we miss out. Had I balked at the Taurus based on previous impressions without taking the walk to check it out I would have missed out on a great car that was perfect for my trip to Sioux Lookout and gut roll laughing to Blue Collar Comedy all the way out.
I don’t know what things are stuck in “automatic” in your life. Things around which you’ve made up your mind, have definite opinions, people you like and people you don’t like. Can I challenge you that things change and to step back from a few of them and ask “What’s New?” You deserve the best. Sometimes its just a question away.
David Benjatschek is a professional speaker/ workshop facilitator in the areas of Leadership & Communication. Visit his website at www.marketbeamer.com.

A couple weeks ago an experience taught me the value of being flexible around expectations I have.
I was flying into Winnipeg and then driving to deliver a couple workshops on Conflict Management in Sioux Lookout Ontario.
I speak in Winnipeg usually twice a month and my rental with National Rent a Car on a previous trip was this great Volvo coupe. It had it all I thought: stylish, sunroof, great handling, the most ergonomic seats I’d ever ridden in.. it was just one of those cars that makes you feel good.
So with the prospect of a 5 hour drive to Sioux Lookout and then 5 hours back to Winnipeg I did something I had never done before: I phoned the Winnipeg Airport Location in advance and placed my preference for a Volvo with them. They noted it and said that if one was available it would be mine.
So the Sunday came and I arrived in Winnipeg excited about my drive. I approached the counter and introduced myself to the gentleman behind it. He gathered my file, looked up and said: “Mr Benjatschek, I see here you requested a first class car for your long trip today. We are going to deliver that for you. Unfortunately none of the specific Volvos you requested have been returned to us but I am going to place you in a Luxurious Ford Taurus.”
Sorry Ford , but the first thought that came to my mind was “isn’t putting Luxury and Ford Taurus in the same sentence an oxymoron?!!”
Suspiciously, I took the keys and started to walk toward the lot, all along pondering what I was going to say when I discovered a Plain Ford Taurus and went back inside to call his bluff and ask for a different car.
As you might guess, I never went back inside. All that I can say is: Ford.. You’ve changed!!
Getting to my car I didn’t see the plain jane ride I was expecting but instead discovered a very stylish sedan with an ultra comfortable leather interior, sunroof and Satellite Radio.. a must for driving the rolling hills of Hwy 17 North. I wasn’t the only one who thought it was a great car .. I stopped for a Tim’s on the way out of Winnipeg and when I came back out of the store with my coffee there was a group of men standing around my rental car and quickly asking: “is this baby yours?”
The ride was smooth and I went there and back on ONE TANK of GAS. Incredible.
Iit was not the FORD Taurus I knew.
Sometimes when we stubbornly insist on previous expectations we miss out. Had I balked at the Taurus based on previous impressions without taking the walk to check it out I would have missed out on a great car that was perfect for my trip to Sioux Lookout and gut roll laughing to Blue Collar Comedy all the way out.
I don’t know what things are stuck in “automatic” in your life. Things around which you’ve made up your mind, have definite opinions, people you like and people you don’t like. Can I challenge you that things change and to step back from a few of them and ask “What’s New?” You deserve the best. Sometimes its just a question away.