I just arrived home from an amazing journey to Shanghai, China!

Since returning, I have become quite a fan of the Chinese culture. The food at times, however, was a little outside my comfort zone … I had never experienced fried "duck tongue" or "jellied pig's blood" before! (Can someone please get the American some Chicken Fried Rice or Moo Goo Gai Pan!)

While delivering a teambuilding program for over 100 Chinese citizens, I began to notice that, despite our many differences in culture, we all had something important in common. Everyone wants to feel something. We may express emotion differently depending on whether we live in Texas or Brooklyn, or Shanghai or Singapore, but a few things are universal, like love, laughter, meaningful relationships, and the pursuit of happiness. Here’s the point: Those who can influence how others feel always have an advantage – a GLOBAL advantage.

What was most intriguing though, was the Chinese culture of SERVICE. Everywhere I turned, someone was there with a smile (and a nod), more than willing to carry my bags, offer a refreshment, or simply help with directions. In fact, every single person I encountered was fully prepared to drop everything to make sure I was happy. Did they serve because they had to or because they wanted to? Maybe a little of both. But quite simply, it was astonishing.

When I returned to the states, how long do you think it took to find someone who wasn’t giving 100%? You got it. About 30 seconds. The very first airport employee I encountered began barking orders with total disregard for providing a cordial welcome home to U.S. citizens or how she was representing our country to our foreign guests. And it didn’t stop there. The airline representatives at baggage claim, the parking shuttle driver, the fast food cashier, all treated me as if their goal was to give as little effort as possible. It's like they were pacing themselves, saving their energy so they could be at their best in case someone important came along.