There is a guy who works at the drive-through at my bank. According to the large rectangular sign in front of his station, his name is Mario. I have a hard time seeing him through the shaded glass. I think he has dark hair and a goatee. He wears a tie.

When I am in his lane, he says hello and asks me how I’m doing. He remembers my name. When I am not in his lane, he spots me and gives me a friendly wave.

My brother, Russell, encourages me to use the ATM—why mess with the drive-through? But the ATM, I explain to Russell, is not the same as Mario.

Sometimes Russell and I go to the bank together. We see which is faster—Mario or the ATM. Mario always loses. But I still choose Mario.

What is it about Mario that makes me choose him over the ATM, even when he is consistently slower? I think it is because he makes a point of seeing me. When we communicate, he makes a point of hearing me. He makes me feel like my business matters.

Isn’t that what we all want? To be seen and heard?

How good are we as lawyers at seeing and hearing our clients? Do we rush them through meetings and phone calls because we have other work waiting? Or do we show them, by our actions, that their business matters?

William Carlos Williams said: “One thing I am convinced more and more is true and that is this: The only way to be truly happy is to make others happy. When you realize that and take advantage of the fact, everything is made perfect.”

This Thanksgiving, ask yourself: how can I make my clients, family, friends, neighbors happy? Thank you, Mario, for showing me the way.