I could hear him running down the passageway as the clock ticked down to the end of one minute.  55…56…57…and then, Lonnie broke the threshold of my door and dove for my desk.  Just as the second hand hit 60 seconds, his “special request chit” reached my in-basket.  Small beads of sweat started to form on his forehead as he stood up, quite proud, and walked smartly out of my office.

I had called “one minute chit time” over the intercom.  To most, this means nothing.  But to the people that worked with me during my first Command Tour, it meant that I would sign any “special request chit” (a NAVPERS form 1336/3) that made it to me within the minute I called.  In the Navy, a the actual purpose and wording for a special request chit is:

“THE PRINCIPLE PURPOSE  OF THE INFORMATION IS TO ENABLE YOU TO MAKE KNOWN YOUR DESIRE FOR ITEMS LISTED OR FOR SOME OTHER SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OR AUTHORIZATION.  THE INFORMATION WILL BE USED TO ASSIST OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY IN DETERMINING YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR AND APPROVING OR DISAPPROVING THE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OR AUTHORIZATION BEING REQUESTED.  COMPLETION OF THE FORM IS MANDATORY, FAILURE TO PROVIDE REQUIRED INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN DELAY IN RESPONSE TO OR DISAPPROVAL OF YOUR REQUEST.”

In other words…..a special request “chit” is used to get something you want within the confines of the person that approves it.  Lonnie was a single parent and appreciated time off to get things done and spend time with his daughter.  Looking back,  most of the people would request time off.  It was one of the things I could give as a Commander that people actually wanted (and liked).

Outside of the “one minute chit” time, most special request chits would have to run through the chain of command and take some time to get approved.   This was a way for me to have a little fun (within the confines of my authority as Commanding Officer) and also reward people for working hard.  I didn’t do it all the time and they never knew when it was coming so it also added a little spontaniety into the mix.

Sometimes, it’s easy to overlook the easy things we can do (within the confines of our authority) to have a little fun and reward people for their work.  What can you do this week?  Take a moment and think about what you can do and then do it.  There’s a bit of risk when you try something new and not everything works.  But, as the saying goes…you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.  Take the shot, have some fun, and reward your team.