This week’s focus point…Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Many of you reading this have heard me speak about how people react differently when a plane is delayed as an example of social styles. Well, I now have a real story to share…

Last week, I was set to fly off to New York City for a business meeting. I was catching an evening flight to arrive in New York early to prepare for a noon meeting the next day. After getting through security, my flight kept getting delayed due to bad weather in New York. Finally, after finishing my glass of wine at the sports bar next door, I was surprised to see a large gathering near the lone Jet Blue gate attendant. Fifteen seconds later, she made the unpopular announcement that the flight had been canceled; that she was the only person at the gate and couldn’t service everyone; and to return to the ticket area outside of security to get re-booked. Instantly, she was besieged by angry and frustrated patrons. Me? I took off lickety split to the ticket area. These people were barking up the wrong tree just like Captain Jack would do after the squirrel he was howling at jumped trees. My decision put me near the front of the line at the ticket counter. Eventually, they couldn’t help me and I postponed my trip. My decision to not “bark” with the others ended up getting me back home sooner.

This week’s quote –