Ronald R Johnson

After earning my doctorate (from Saint Louis University, in the field of philosophy) and teaching full-time for two years at Xavier University in Cincinnati, I was unable to obtain a tenure track position. For the next twenty-two years, I worked in a customer service call center by day and taught college courses in philosophy and history by night.

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It wasn't what I wanted. But I was a disciple of Jesus Christ, and as I sought divine direction, I began to see that customer service was an ideal venue for practicing my faith. No other profession offers quite so many situations in which we must turn the other cheek or go the second mile. Few other jobs provide so many chances to help people in concrete ways or to move mountains on a daily basis.

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I accepted the challenge, and it made all the difference. I discovered that the life of a customer service representative (or CSR) could be more than just a job; it could be a holy calling.

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In Customer Service and the Imitation of Christ, I talk about my experiences in the call center and share some of the lessons I learned. I show how to practice the "Three-Way CSR Conversation" and let God serve others through you. I give advice on:

 

*Dealing with "The Customer from Hell."

*Overcoming resistance from the back office.

*Working under extreme time constraints.

*Maintaining self-esteem when your every word is recorded and criticized. 

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These lessons can be useful no matter what line of work you do, or if want to improve your interactions with people in any setting. I have found that everyday life can become an adventure when you live it with God. ​​​​​

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