• A story is told at Ritz-Carlton hotels about a beach attendant who was stacking chairs for the evening when a guest asked if he would leave out two chairs. The guest wanted to return to the beach in the evening and propose to his girlfriend. Although the attendant was going off duty, he not only left out the chairs, he stayed late, put on a tuxedo, and escorted the couple to their chairs, presenting them with Bowers and champagne and lighting candles at their table. The story is firmly entrenched in Ritz-Carlton’s folklore and symbolizes the value of going above and beyond the call of duty to satisfy guests.
• Employees at IBM often hear a story about the female security guard who challenged IBM’s chairman. Although she knew who he was, the guard insisted that the chairman could not enter a particular area because he wasn’t carrying the appropriate security clearance. Rather than getting reprimanded or fired, the guard was praised for her diligence and commitment to maintaining the security of IBM’s buildings. By telling this story, employees emphasize both the importance of following the rules and the critical contributions of every employee from the bottom to the top of the organization.