"Happy Wife, Happy Life"

The memorable words of a Costa Rican gentleman who takes his job of making people smile seriously.  Julio is a shuttle driver at the Hilton de Papagayo.  We spent a week there recently enjoying sunny, breezy days, all inclusive cocktails and dining and the beauty of nature surrounding us.  As lovely as all that sounds the simple acts of Julio made our vacation even brighter. 

Upon our arrival the reception area called the shuttle to bring us to our room.  Julio met us with a huge smile and a willing hand to get us to our room on the top of a hill.  He asked us our names and never forget them all week.  After he got our bags to our room he said "remember Craig, happy wife, happy life!"  The beginning of our vacation was kicked off with a giggle and a great feeling about the resort.

We discovered throughout the week that, while the resort was indeed nice, the one thing that made this place special was Julio.  Over and over again, other guests would echo our sentiments that Julio was the best thing about the place.  I don't know Julio.  I don't know if he makes great money or lives quite modestly as most Costa Ricans do.  After all he is a shuttle driver, not the hotel manager.  But maybe the reward Julio gets for making people happy is the satisfaction of knowing that he is making people happy.

A truly great employee is one who does his job with the attitude that no matter what its importance in the spectrum of the big picture, the employee does his part with the knowledge that he is making a difference.  Sometimes a small difference makes all the difference.  That little phrase Julio said a few times to us "happy wife, happy life" kind of sat with us and we ended up saying it to each other now and again during our stay with a little chuckle, but also a little wink that we knew we wanted to make each other happy.  Julio is just a shuttle driver, but a wise man, indeed.