“How would you like to be unable to cook at home for two months?” my husband says in an exasperated tone into the phone.
He’s been on hold and passed around with customer service reps for hours and his patience is wearing thin.
The Backstory.
In April our 22-year-old oven died unexpectedly (#RIPOven) which means that my husband and I were suddenly thrown into the oven hunting market.
We quickly found a replacement (bonus, it was on sale!) and by the first week of May, our new oven was installed.
The catch?
The oven didn’t work.
So...
The repair person was contacted.
A few weeks later the repair guy comes over but can’t fix it.
A part is ordered.
Weeks later, the repair guy comes over again. The part doesn’t work and the oven is officially condemned by the manufacturing company.
We are told that the company will contact us within 3-5 business days.
No call on the fifth day.
My husband calls the manufacturing company and is told they can’t locate a replacement but will call us in 7-10 days.
He calls the store and is told they can’t do anything without the company’s blessing.
Yadda, Yadda, Yadda...
We are told to contact the manager, Tyler, at a store 30 minutes from us for help.
We don’t hear back.
So...
I decide that an in-person visit gives us the best odds of getting our situation resolved.
I put on my friendliest face and start turning on “The Like Switch”.
Here is an abbreviated version of my conversation with Tyler...
Me: Hi Tyler, (said while making purposeful eye contact and smiling genuinely), my name is Kristin Bock and I’m hoping you can help me solve my problem.
Tyler: Yes, it looks like you have a problem with your stove.
Me: I do (said while tilting my head)! And I’m confident that we can figure out a way to resolve this together since it’s already been two months. We have out-of-town guests renting our house out in a few weeks and need to figure out a way to make things work (said while leaning in slightly). I’m hoping that we can work with you directly and let the companies work out the other details.
Tyler: I’ll see what I can do but am not sure I can meet your timeline.
Me: I believe in you, Tyler (said while standing confidently and fronting). Please sprinkle all the magic pixie dust you have on this situation.
Tyler: Let me check on a few things.
Yadda, Yadda, Yadda...
Four days later we have our new stove installed and are getting the “air-fry rack” shipped to our house free of charge
(I may or may not have suggested to Tyler that including this rack would be greatly appreciated).
Understanding social skills and how to show up is such a gift. Learning about body language and how we are perceived by others can make a world of difference in your interactions with others.
I can’t say I’ve had 100% success with my “Like Switch” interactions, but I have lost count of the number of times I’ve benefited from combining my people skills and positive body language.
And the best part is that it impresses my husband every time.
Your co-pilot (who gained 5 pounds in the two months without an oven, yet is happily baking cookies),
P.S.
Interested in learning how you can turn on “The Like Switch”?
Let’s talk!