Chris LeGrady was having a tough time getting a job — that was until he found Best Buy. He got his blue shirt almost six years ago and, now a sales advisor at Store 251 in Glendale, Arizona, he hasn’t looked back.
And his journey has been far from typical.
At age 16, Chris suffered a stroke and accompanying brain injuries. After his recovery and a year in a vocational rehabilitation program, he found himself searching for work without much luck.
“Whenever I went to interview, whoever was interviewing me couldn’t see past my disabilities,” Chris said.
It wasn’t until Chris interviewed with a Best Buy manager that he was finally able to secure a role as a seasonal hire. “She saw past my physical limitations and actually saw my personality,” Chris said.
Making the workplace as inclusive as possible is a priority for Best Buy. Through the disABILITIES Employee Resource Group, workplace accommodations, and inclusive leadership behaviors (vulnerability, empathy, courage, and grace), Best Buy aims to ensure all employees can bring their whole selves to work. And that’s exactly what Chris does.
From consistently perfect Net Promoter Score (NPS) results and words of praise from general manager Brenda Knepp and assistant manager Amanda Kaiser, it’s clear that Chris is a star employee.
“His presence makes you re-evaluate why you’re having a bad day,” said Brenda. Not to mention, she added, Chris really knows his stuff when it comes to movies and music.
Amanda echoed Brenda, crediting Chris for inspiring her to be more positive and always working to engage with customers.
‘Excellent-plus’
So, what’s Chris’s secret to a positive outlook, extensive knowledge, and connecting with customers? It’s all thanks to his coworkers.
Throughout his Best Buy journey, Chris has been very open about his circumstances. “I had a stroke. I’ve got memory problems, and pretty much everyone I work with is on the same page with me,” he said.
Chris is grateful for his colleagues, who he knows will go the extra mile — whether it’s helping to grab a TV from the back or just being open about his disability.
“I couldn’t ask for better people to work with,” Chris said.
When it comes to customers, Chris is personable and all about making people feel welcome — he tries to make them laugh and show them all the “cool” stuff Best Buy has. “He was knowledgeable, courteous, and thoroughly answered all of our questions,” one customer said, after a visit for a television and soundbar purchase.
Whenever someone asks how he’s doing, Chris offers an unconventional, yet cheerful response: “I’m doing excellent-plus!”
He isn’t a morning person, but Chris wakes up ready to take on each day and share a smile with someone, whether it’s a co-worker or customer.
“I wake up most days smiling because I have the ability to do that,” he said. “It’s always a gift.”