So Brett Favre is not retired. Wow. Shocker.
I arrived in Minnesota just about the same time he did yesterday and my drive up to Duluth was dominated by “breaking news” sports stories consisting of location of his vehicle in relation to the practice facility. I can’t stand him anymore.
I know I have a few Vikings fans that read this blog and my apologies for my harsh words, but I look at what he has done to what could have been one of the greatest legacies in sports. Yes, I get that he wanted to continue to play. I get that the Packers could have handled the situation a bit better, but then I look at Favre’s actions over the past few summers, and I’m uninspired by his apparent lack of loyalty to anyone or anything.
Contrast that with the book, Delivering Happiness, I finished reading on my first flight yesterday. It’s all about Zappos.com and their path to being a phenomenal company dedicated to truly serving their customers. I heard about Zappos a year ago and decided to buy a pair of shoes from them last fall. The service was so great I bought another pair of shoes a week later. I’ll probably use them again in another week or so for more products. They continue to surprise me with great perks for their customers. I just ordered a free copy of their CULTURE BOOK. The tone of their emails, their packaging, etc is all incredible. I’m definitely a loyal customer.
While watching ESPN last night with more “breaking news” about Favre, I received an email from Hilton, the hotel chain I spend over two months of my life in each year. They decided to reward their most frequent guests with more bonus points and free internet at their luxury properties. They didn’t have to, but they did. I’ll get another 2 free nights out of this promotion this year which helps out when I actually vacation instead of just travel for work. I continue to go back to Hilton because I get great service from them. I’m a loyal customer.
And then there is Brett Favre. Yes, he’s a great quarterback, but he doesn’t treat his fans well. He could communicate like a normal person. He could be up front with his thoughts and his ideas, but no. He needs teammates to fly down on a private jet and ask him to return. He needs to make a dramatic entrance with news choppers and call ANOTHER press conference. He is now the opposite of understated. He doesn’t inspire loyalty (just ask any Packer fan or Jets fan or even Vikings fan before yesterday).
So it got me thinking… do you inspire loyalty in the manner in which you serve and interact with those around you? Do you surprise them with extra kindness and extra effort, or do you tend to make the relationship more about you?
Are you the Zappos or Hiltons? Or are you simply Brett Favre, playing to the cameras?
Something to think about.