I WAS running a training event in a delightful hotel the other week, but the chairs were very uncomfortable.

The participants were restless – a couple were even standing up – and we were only half-way into day one of a three-day course. So I found one of the people who had been serving us, and told them about my concerns and the impact it was having on the quality of the training. He shook his head as I spoke, and said: “No, no, nothing we can do. Sorry.”

At this moment his counterpart came along, and joined us. As I repeated the situation to him, he nodded, and affirmed my concerns and said: “Yes, leave it to us.”

And there, when we came out for a break, guarded by Mr Can Do was a huge pile of cushions. He wore “pride” all over his being.

At the end of the day, Mr It’s Going To Be Difficult/Impossible said: “We’ll need the cushions tonight, they’ll be needed by guests.” The hotel was huge and far from full, so I said (being ‘Can Do’ myself): “Don’t worry – we’ll ask the participants to bring cushions from their own beds tomorrow.” Mentioning this to Mr Can Do on the way out, he said: ‘No, please leave it with me. You will have your cushions. There is nothing you need to do.” This was the first of a long series of situations where the service offered was very different moment by moment – same hotel, different people, different attitudes. Who do you think I mentioned on my feedback form? Yes, Mr Can Do. He really made our stay a joy. Who did I look for when we needed anything? Mr Can Do. And who did we help out when we could see he was overstretched yet still saying “Yes”, by going to reception ourselves to get our own photocopying? Mr Can Do.

Can Do is simply an attitude. Anyone can be it.

Have a go. Be Can Do.

■ Issy Crocker and team are a personal effectiveness training and coaching organisation based in Darlington. Visit issycrocker.co.uk for details.