Leadership lesson from a teabag

No this is not one of those posts about how you are like a tea-bag and the best of you only comes out when you find yourself in hot water. Cutesy and catchy, I know. But this is about a real leadership lesson I learned from a real teabag.

In fact, the lesson the teabag taught me applies to virtually all our relationships. Yes, a teabag taught me something. No. it was not talking and no, I am not out of my mind. Let me explain.

Porcelain Photo Op

A few weeks ago, I sat down at my desk with some tea while I worked. About half-way through the cup, I noticed there was a quote written on the tag. This quote struck me so hard that I grabbed my phone and proceeded to take several pictures of the cup the whole time trying to get the right angle.

All that was left to complete the picture was me flirtingly saying things like “work with me” “work the camera” “you look gorgeous”. I did say these – but with my inside voice… mostly. No wonder my wife looked puzzled when she walked in on me. I digress.

Anyway, here is the picture I went with. I hope this picture inspires you as much as it inspired me to look for the good in the people in my life especially those I lead.

Since this picture, I have caught myself judging others prematurely – almost on reflex.

Whenever that happens, I try to reflect on this leadership lesson and re-frame my thinking in order see more clearly.

Overwrite your wiring

Human beings are wired to judge – it is an adaptation that helps us stay safe by identifying potential threats. But when we carry this unconsciously into our relationships at work and at home, we run the risk of causing great harm to ourselves and those around us as a result of our judgment.

And even when the facts suggest that we are in the presence of a weed, we can still make the conscious choice to extend a positive thought regardless. I like this quote by Johann Goethe

If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

As a leader, it is difficult to inspire change in people when you do not believe in them. I urge you to see people for flowers and not for weeds. Cutesy, I know, but better than seeing them as teabags.