The Erosion of Service: Why We Must Reclaim the Value of Earned Rewards

In today’s Western world, we’ve reached a strange cultural milestone: we take too much for granted.

We expect salaries to arrive each month, but not everyone expects themselves to truly earn that pay. As an employer, I am bound by law and conscience to pay my team on time, every time. But the unspoken question lingers: has the reciprocal commitment—of showing up, contributing meaningfully, delivering value—eroded?

This imbalance doesn’t just apply to employment. It’s mirrored across countless industries. In some sectors, service providers expect full payment upfront, sometimes even before the work has begun. And in too many cases, what’s delivered falls far below the promised standard. Yet the entitlement remains: “I did my bit, where’s my reward?”

This shift reflects a deeper cultural transition. Somewhere along the way, service became transactional. It’s no longer about delighting the customer or earning trust. It’s about clocking in and checking out, about completing the bare minimum and expecting the maximum in return.

From Service to Transaction

I come from a different mindset—one I still hold dear. I’ve always found joy in serving people. There’s a deep satisfaction in making someone’s day better, solving a problem, or simply delivering a quality experience that’s remembered. It’s not about ego; it’s about pride in craftsmanship, in the energy exchange that happens when someone is genuinely grateful for what you’ve provided.

Over the years, I’ve worked across many industries. Hospitality, tech, retail, food, events—you name it. These experiences have helped me develop a fine-tuned radar for real service. It’s not about luxury or perfection. It’s about intent, attention, and care. When someone truly shows up with the desire to serve, it’s obvious. And when they don’t—it’s even more obvious.

The Cost of a Fast-Paced World

Our world today runs on speed. Instant replies. Instant food. Instant gratification. And with that speed has come a decline in patience, presence, and personal responsibility. We click, we pay, we expect. We forget that behind every service—at least there should be—a person. A commitment. A craft.

In this fast-paced system, we’ve started confusing price with value, and time with worth. People want the highest compensation with the least effort. Businesses want customers to commit blindly. And relationships—professional and personal—are increasingly becoming a matter of convenience rather than commitment.

Bringing Humanity Back to Service

It’s not all doom and gloom. I still believe in the human side of business. I still believe in service as something noble. And I still believe that when you take pride in what you do, you attract people who value it—not just pay for it.

The challenge before us is cultural, not just commercial. As business leaders, we need to model the standards we wish to see: fairness, accountability, generosity, and genuine service. And as customers and team members, we should remember that good service isn’t owed—it’s earned, nurtured, and, when done right, truly magical.

Because in the end, the best businesses—and the most fulfilling lives—aren’t built on transactions. They’re built on relationships, respect, and the timeless art of giving a damn.