A lot of stuff gets ordered online these days, and a lot of stuff gets sent back.
That’s why it isn’t surprising to see folks carrying packages back in to the post office.
Sometimes they arrive at the door only to realize they have to pull the door open, but their hands are loaded with packages.
Then a stranger arrives and pulls the door open – an appreciated act.
Other times the package carrier sees someone opening the door and calls out, “hold the door please!”
As often as we are the doorman at the post office, we are the beneficiary of someone holding the door open for us. A kindness we (can) play forward.
At our Bank, we have an unwritten guideline that we call the “5-5-5 Rule”.
We ask our folks to open our Bank 5 minutes before we are supposed to open, stay open 5 minutes later than our posted closing time, and have at least one 5 minute huddle with other folks in the office to share some news, happenings or challenges that have been identified in the Bank that week.
For a mom trying to get her child to school on time, that 5 minutes early is the difference between a ruined late day to school versus a productive day for the child.
Staying open 5 more minutes might allow a worker to cash a payroll check drawn on our bank or make a deposit to buy needed medicines for a family member.
All made possible because we left for work a little earlier, and we are willing to give up a few minutes of Judge Judy on TV in the afternoon.
The little sacrifices we make day-to-day may not seem like much. Weeks may go by without the 5-5-5 Rule making a big difference in someone else’s life.
But not having a 5-5-5 Rule would mean we are not willing to make an extra sacrifice for “the potential” to help someone – to provide better service.
What if it was your brother pulling up to the drive-up at 4:05pm needing cash for medicine for your niece or nephew? Or your cousin trying to get a mortgage payment made before leaving town?
2000 years ago a sacrifice was made. It was much bigger than opening 5 minutes early or staying 5 minutes late or taking 5 minutes to share.
Sacrifices, no matter how big or small, can change lives.
We do 5-5-5 in the spirit of sacrifice and caring about the neighbors, friends and others in our community who trust in us for their finances and more.
Stay safe and get your vaccine!
– Leton
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“Letters From Leton” is a blog series comprised of the weekly updates that Leton Harding – President, Chairman, and CEO of Powell Valley National Bank, shares with the Bank’s team members. These newsletters are full of uplifting anecdotes and intriguing insights that are applicable beyond the Bank, so we want to share them with you.
