Ten years ago, after multiple delays and cancellations, my parents were desperately trying to get an airport gate agent to help them and their luggage make a connection so they could get to my brother’s wedding. The first agent clicked her keyboard for 30 seconds and told them there was nothing she could do. A second agent stepped up, and as my father put it, “absolutely worked like crazy to make it happen.” They made their flight and the wedding.
I’ve always remembered that phrase, “work like crazy.” In that moment, it wasn’t about somebody just doing their job well enough not to get fired. It was about a human being throwing herself into the work, putting on an impressive show for someone who needed it. One of the reasons I love working at Collegewise is that I’m surrounded by people who work like crazy every day.
Yesterday, I went to Lowe’s Home Improvement to buy a new barbecue. I found the one I came for in five minutes, but because of system troubles and gross inefficiency up the chain, it took an hour to schedule the time to get it delivered. Still, my experience was a great one because the entire time, the sales associate, George, was absolutely working like crazy to make it happen.
He made calls. He sat on hold. He looked for other solutions, all along repeatedly telling me in the most sincere, non-scripted way how sorry he was that I had to wait this long just to buy something. The worse he felt for me, the more I appreciated him for trying to help.
George isn’t a guy in charge. He doesn’t have authority. But he completely changed my entire experience. There wasn’t one second during the entire interaction that I felt annoyed. George was doing his best and working like crazy to make it happen. On my way out, I asked him for his boss’s name so I could call later and tell him or her how much I appreciated what George had done. If you live in Seattle and need a barbecue, visit Lowe’s on Rainier Ave. and ask for George.
The most impactful, memorable people in every role—counselors, teachers, club advisors, student body presidents, bench warmers, community leaders, grocery baggers—they all do more than just show up. They bring care, energy, enthusiasm, and a willingness to step up to change the experience. You don’t need authority. You don’t need a leadership position. You don’t need a big salary or a high GPA or perfect test scores to do it. You just have to be willing to work like crazy to make it happen.
When you do, people will appreciate and remember you for it.