It Was Her First Time
It was cold, gloomy, and overcast.
But her excitement was unmatched.
It was December 1996. Ana was from Miami, and she had never seen snow before.
A Moment on Commonwealth Avenue
As the first winter flurries touched down along Commonwealth Avenue at Boston University, my colleague from the work study program in the transcripts department raced down the stairs from our second floor office, out to the wide sidewalk below.
She jumped, and shouted out, with glee, catching each flake in her mouth as they fluttered down from the heavens.
What the Rest of Us Missed
The rest of us stood there, watching.
We were New Englanders. Snow was familiar. Routine. Expected.
While the rest of us hearty New Englanders had long been acquainted with the joy and calm of a freshly fallen snow, Ana, as an 18 year old, was experiencing it for the first time.
Why This Moment Sticks
I still think about that day.
It comes back every so often, and it always brings a smile.
Not because of the snow, but because of what it represented.
A reminder that what feels ordinary to one person can be extraordinary to another.
The Lesson: Do Not Lose Sight of First Experiences
In business and in life, it is easy to forget what things feel like for the first time.
- A new employee starting their first day
- A client experiencing your service for the first time
- A team member stepping into a new role
What is routine to you may be new, uncertain, or even exciting for someone else.
Why This Matters for Leadership and Culture
Strong leaders and strong organizations understand this.
They do not dismiss first experiences. They amplify them.
They:
- Create space for curiosity
- Encourage enthusiasm
- Support learning without judgment
- Recognize moments that matter
Because those early experiences often shape long-term client retention. .
Let People Enjoy the Moment
Not everything needs to be optimized, rushed, or controlled.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is step back and let someone experience something fully.
Let them enjoy it, explore it, and experience it.
Even if you have seen it a hundred times before.
And Sometimes, Join Them
And if you find an adult enthralled by their first snow, join them on the sidewalks of Boston and catch some fresh flakes.
Final Thought
We do not remember every routine moment.
But we remember first experiences.
And we remember the people who made those moments better.
Ready to Build a Culture That People Remember?
At Dancey Growth Group, we help businesses create environments where people feel supported, engaged, and set up to succeed from day one.
Visit our Contact Page to start the conversation
