101 Inspiring Stories and Metaphors For Business and Life

101InspiringStoriesandMetaphorsforBusinessandLife
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LIMITOFLIABILITYANDDISCLAIMEROFWARRANTY .........................................................8
ASPRINKLINGOFMAGIC ................................................................................................................9
101INSPIRINGQUOTESFORBUSINESSANDLIFE .................................................................... 10
ABOUTCLAREEDWARDS .............................................................................................................. 11
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 12
ORIGINALSOURCES,AUTHORSANDACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................. 13
WHY101? ............................................................................................................................................ 14
HORSESFORCOURSES ......................................................................................................................... 14
CATEGORISATIONGUIDELINES................................................................................................... 15
YOURINPUTISWELCOME! .................................................................................................................. 15
CATEGORIES ..................................................................................................................................... 16
101STORIES ....................................................................................................................................... 18
1.
ACHANCETOSTARTOVER................................................................................................... 18
ATTITUDE, OBSTACLESASOPPORTUNITIES, RESILIENCE....................................................................... 18
2.
BEAUTYTIPSBYAUDREYHEPBURN................................................................................... 18
ATTITUDE, DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, GRATITUDE, VALUES................................................................ 18
3.
(THE)BLINDMEN&THEELEPHANT................................................................................... 19
ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES ............................................................................... 19
4.
(THE)BOULDERANDTHEKING............................................................................................ 19
INITIATIVE, OBSTACLESASOPPORTUNITIES......................................................................................... 19
5.
BREWERY&HORSES ............................................................................................................... 20
ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, CHALLENGINGTHESTATUSQUO, CULTURE ..................................................... 20
6.
BUILDINGACATHEDRAL....................................................................................................... 21
DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, VISION ....................................................................................................... 21
7.
(THE)BUTCHERSCHICKEN .................................................................................................. 21
INTEGRITY,VALUES............................................................................................................................. 21
8.
(THE)BUTTERFLY .................................................................................................................... 21
EMPOWERMENT, FINDINGTHE GIFTINTHECHALLENGE ....................................................................... 21
9.
(THE)CARPENTER'SHOUSE................................................................................................... 22
ATTITUDE, INTEGRITY, LIVINGYOUR TRUTH ........................................................................................ 22
10.
CARROTS,EGGS&COFFEE................................................................................................ 22
ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, OBSTACLESASOPPORTUNITIES, OPTIMISM ...................................................... 22

11.
CATCHINGAFLIGHT........................................................................................................... 23
CLARITYOFCOMMUNICATION, CONSEQUENCESOFASSUMPTIONS, LATERAL THINKING........................ 23

12.
CHICKENS&WINDOWS ...................................................................................................... 24
CLARITYOFCOMMUNICATION, CONSEQUENCESOFASSUMPTIONS........................................................ 24
13.
CIRCLEOFJOY...................................................................................................................... 25
ClareEdwardsallrightsreservedwww.asprinklingofmagic.com
2
CULTURE, GRATITUDE, VALUES .......................................................................................................... 25
14.
(THE)CLEANINGLADY........................................................................................................ 26
CULTURE, GRATITUDE, VALUES .......................................................................................................... 26

15.
(THE)COLOURSOFFRIENDSHIP ...................................................................................... 26
EMBRACINGDIVERSITY,TEAMWORK ................................................................................................... 26
16.
CONSEQUENCESOFSELFIMPORTANCE........................................................................ 27
ATTITUDE, CLARITYOFCOMMUNICATION, CULTURE........................................................................... 27

17.
(THE)CRACKEDPOT............................................................................................................ 28
ACCEPTANCE, FINDINGTHEGIFTINTHE CHALLENGE ........................................................................... 28

18.
(ON)DEALINGWITHABUSE ............................................................................................... 29
ATTITUDE, CHOICE, RESILIENCE .......................................................................................................... 29

19.
DIFFERENCEBETWEENHEAVENANDHELL................................................................. 29
CULTURE, INNOVATION, LATERAL THINKING,TEAMWORK, VALUES ..................................................... 29

20.
DIFFERENTDRUMMERS...................................................................................................... 30
ACCEPTANCE, EMBRACINGDIVERSITY, PERSONALITYTYPE ................................................................. 30

21.
DONKEYINTHEWELL ........................................................................................................ 31
OBSTACLESASOPPORTUNITIES, OPTIMISM , RESILIENCE ....................................................................... 31

22.
DONTQUITPOEM ................................................................................................................ 31
PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE ................................................................................................................... 31

23.
DRAGONKILLERS ................................................................................................................ 32
DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, LATERAL THINKING,LEADERSHIP, WISDOM................................................ 32

24.
EAGLE&THECHICKEN...................................................................................................... 33
CHOICE, LEADERSHIP, LIVINGYOUR TRUTH, TAKINGRISKS................................................................. 33

25.
EXPERIENCINGTHEREALPROBLEM ............................................................................. 33
ATTITUDE, CULTURE, INNOVATION, LATERAL THINKING ...................................................................... 33

26.
FEEDINGTIME....................................................................................................................... 34
ACCEPTANCE, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ............................................................................................. 34

27.
FEELINGS................................................................................................................................ 34
ACCEPTANCE, LIVINGYOUR TRUTH ..................................................................................................... 34

28.
FIVEMONKEYS...................................................................................................................... 35
CHALLENGINGTHESTATUSQUO, CHOICE, CULTURE ............................................................................ 35

29.
FLATTYRE.............................................................................................................................. 36
INTEGRITY, VALUES ............................................................................................................................ 36

30.
FLIPPINGOUTONEGGS...................................................................................................... 37
AWARENESS, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, TRUST................................................................................... 37

31.
FREDANDMABEL................................................................................................................. 37
CONSEQUENCESOFASSUMPTIONS....................................................................................................... 37
32.
FROGINAMILKPAIL.......................................................................................................... 38
CHOICE, PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE ..................................................................................................... 38

33.
GANDHIANDSUGAR ............................................................................................................ 38
INTEGRITY,LEADERSHIP, VALUES ....................................................................................................... 38

3
34.
GINGERNUTSATTHEAIRPORT ........................................................................................ 38
35.
(THE)GREATASIF................................................................................................................ 39
COURAGE, LEADERSHIP, WISDOM ........................................................................................................ 39

36.
THEHISTORYOFGUNPOWDER ........................................................................................ 40
INNOVATION....................................................................................................................................... 40
37.
HOWTOPOISONYOURMOTHERINLAW..................................................................... 40
ATTITUDE, DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, FORGIVENESS, PERSONALITYTYPE ............................................ 40

38.
(THE)HUNDREDTHMONKEY............................................................................................. 41
ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, CULTURE, VISION........................................................................................... 41

39.
IHAVEADREAM................................................................................................................... 42
INSPIRATION, LEADERSHIP, LIVINGYOUR TRUTH, VISION ..................................................................... 42

40.
IF ............................................................................................................................................... 45
INTEGRITY,LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE, VALUES .................................................................................... 45

41.
INAUGURALADDRESSSPEECHBYNELSONMANDELA.............................................. 46
FORGIVENESS, LEADERSHIP, WISDOM .................................................................................................. 46

42.
INVICTUS................................................................................................................................. 48
ACCOUNTABILITY, CHOICE, COURAGE ................................................................................................. 48

43.
ITCOULDNTBEDONE ........................................................................................................ 48
ATTITUDE, OPTIMISM , PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE ................................................................................. 48

44.
JUDGEGENTLY ..................................................................................................................... 49
ACCEPTANCE, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES,INTEGRITY ........................................................................... 49

45.
KNOWINGWHERETOTAP ................................................................................................. 50
LATERAL THINKING, WISDOM ............................................................................................................. 50

46.
LAWOFTHEGARBAGETRUCK ........................................................................................ 50
ATTITUDE, RESILIENCE, WISDOM ......................................................................................................... 50

47.
LESSONSONTEAMWORKFROMGEESE......................................................................... 51
TEAMWORK, VALUES .......................................................................................................................... 51

48.
LIGHTENINGTHELOAD ..................................................................................................... 52
ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, COURAGE, TAKINGR ISKS, TEAMWORK, TRUST ................................................ 52

49.
(THE)LIONSWHISKER ....................................................................................................... 55
DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, VALUES, WISDOM ...................................................................................... 55

50.
(THE)LOSTKEYS .................................................................................................................. 56
ACCOUNTABILITY,LIVINGYOUR TRUTH .............................................................................................. 56

51.
THEMANWHOTHINKSHECAN ....................................................................................... 56
ATTITUDE, PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE .................................................................................................. 56

52.
(THE)MEDITATIONCAT ..................................................................................................... 57
CHALLENGINGTHESTATUSQUO, CULTURE ......................................................................................... 57

53.
(THE)MESSIAHINDISGUISE .............................................................................................. 57
ACCEPTANCE, CULTURE,TEAMWORK, VALUES .................................................................................... 57

54.
(THE)MEXICANFISHERMAN ............................................................................................. 58
4
CHOICE, DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES ...................................................................................................... 58
55.
(THE)MOUSETRAP .............................................................................................................. 59
ATTITUDE, TEAMWORK ....................................................................................................................... 59

56.
MURPHYSPLOUGH ............................................................................................................. 60
CONSEQUENCESOFASSUMPTIONS, PERCEPTION ................................................................................... 60

57.
NAILSINTHEFENCE............................................................................................................ 60
ACCOUNTABILITY, WISDOM ................................................................................................................ 60

58.
NASA......................................................................................................................................... 61
VISION ................................................................................................................................................ 61
59.
ONETHOUSANDMARBLES................................................................................................. 61
DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, PRIORITISATION ......................................................................................... 61

60.
OURDEEPESTFEAR ............................................................................................................. 62
EMPOWERMENT,INSPIRATION ............................................................................................................. 62
61.
PARACHUTES ......................................................................................................................... 63
CULTURE, GRATITUDE, TEAMWORK..................................................................................................... 63

62.
PLAYINGAVIOLINWITHTHREESTRINGS.................................................................... 63
ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, INNOVATION,INSPIRATION, LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE...................................... 63

63.
(THE)POODLE&THELEOPARD ....................................................................................... 64
COURAGE, INITIATIVE, LATERAL THINKING, WISDOM.......................................................................... 64

64.
PORTRAITOFANACHIEVER!............................................................................................ 65
LEADERSHIP, PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE .............................................................................................. 65

65.
PRIZECOW ............................................................................................................................. 66
CHALLENGINGTHESTATUSQUO, FINDINGTHE GIFTINTHE CHALLENGE, TAKINGRISKS...................... 66

66.
QUICKTOJUDGE .................................................................................................................. 67
67.
READINGTHESIGNS............................................................................................................ 68
ACCEPTANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY ......................................................................................................... 68

68.
(THE)REALMEANINGOFPEACE ..................................................................................... 68
ATTITUDE, DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, RESILIENCE .............................................................................. 68

69.
REALITYBITES...................................................................................................................... 69
EMBRACINGDIVERSITY,LATERAL THINKING, PERCEPTION.................................................................. 69

70.
(THE)RIPPLEEFFECT.......................................................................................................... 69
ACCOUNTABILITY ............................................................................................................................... 69
71.
(THE)RIVERCROSSING....................................................................................................... 70
ATTITUDE, FORGIVENESS, PERCEPTION, VALUES .................................................................................. 70

72.
ROASTBEEF ........................................................................................................................... 71
CHALLENGINGTHESTATUSQUO, CULTURE ......................................................................................... 71

73.
ROBERTTHEBRUCEANDTHESPIDER........................................................................... 71
COURAGE, PERSISTENCE ...................................................................................................................... 71

74.
STCRISPINSDAYSPEECH ................................................................................................. 72
INSPIRATION, LEADERSHIP ................................................................................................................... 72

5
75.
SANDCASTLES........................................................................................................................ 73
PERCEPTION, PRIORITISATION .............................................................................................................. 73

76.
(THE)SECRETOFLIFE ........................................................................................................ 74
INSPIRATION, VALUES, VISION ............................................................................................................. 74

77.
SHARPENINGTHEAXE........................................................................................................ 74
PRIORITISATION, WISDOM ................................................................................................................... 74

78.
(A)SLANDEROUSTONGUE.................................................................................................. 75
INTEGRITY, W ISDOM........................................................................................................................... 75
79.
SOMETHINGTOPONDERON ............................................................................................. 76
GRATITUDE, DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES ................................................................................................ 76

80.
SOMETIMESTHEYCHANGETHEBISCUITS ................................................................... 76
ACCEPTANCE, CONSEQUENCESOFASSUMPTIONS, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ........................................ 76

81.
SPILTMILK............................................................................................................................. 77
ATTITUDE, EMPOWERMENT, INSPIRATION, REFRAMINGCHALLENGES ................................................... 77

82.
STARFISH ................................................................................................................................ 77
OPTIMISM, PERCEPTION ....................................................................................................................... 77

83.
(A)STICKYINNOVATION.................................................................................................... 78
CULTURE, E MPOWERMENT,INNOVATION,TRUST................................................................................. 78
84.
(THE)STONECUTTER........................................................................................................... 79
ACCEPTANCE, PERCEPTION .................................................................................................................. 79

85.
TAKETIME ............................................................................................................................. 79
PRIORITISATION, VALUES, WISDOM ..................................................................................................... 79

86.
TEASPOON,TEACUPORBUCKET? ................................................................................... 80
CHOICE, LATERAL THINKING ............................................................................................................... 80

87.
(THE)THREEHAIRS ............................................................................................................. 80
ATTITUDE, CHOICE, OPTIMISM , RESILIENCE ......................................................................................... 80

88.
TICKLEMEELMO................................................................................................................. 81
CLARITYOFCOMMUNICATION, CONSEQUENCESOFASSUMPTIONS........................................................ 81
89.
(THE)TRAVELLER&THEMONK...................................................................................... 81
ATTITUDE, CHOICE, PERCEPTION ......................................................................................................... 81

90.
(THE)TRIPLEFILTERTEST................................................................................................ 82
INTEGRITY,LIVINGYOUR TRUTH ......................................................................................................... 82

91.
(THE)TROUBLETREE.......................................................................................................... 83
ATTITUDE, PRIORITISATION, RESILIENCE.............................................................................................. 83

92.
TWOBROTHERSANDSOMEGEESE ................................................................................. 83
INITIATIVE,LEADERSHIP, WISDOM ....................................................................................................... 83

93.
TWOFROGS............................................................................................................................ 84
ENCOURAGEMENT, PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE...................................................................................... 84

94.
TWOSEEDS............................................................................................................................. 85
ACCOUNTABILITY, COURAGE, LIVINGYOUR TRUTH ............................................................................. 85

95.
TWOWOLVES ........................................................................................................................ 85
6
LEADERSHIP,WISDOM......................................................................................................................... 85
96.
(THE)VALUEOFASMILE ................................................................................................... 85
ATTITUDE, OPTIMISM .......................................................................................................................... 85

97.
WELLSEE .............................................................................................................................. 86
ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, PERCEPTION .......................................................... 86

98.
(THE)WHEELBARROWOFTRUST .................................................................................... 87
LEADERSHIP, TRUST ............................................................................................................................ 87

99.
WHOSEJOBISITANYWAY?............................................................................................... 87
ACCOUNTABILITY ............................................................................................................................... 87
100. YOURVALUE THESTORYOFTHE$20NOTE.............................................................. 87
INSPIRATION, LIVINGYOUR TRUTH, OPTIMISM ..................................................................................... 87
101. ZENANDACUPOFTEA....................................................................................................... 88
PERCEPTION, W ISDOM ......................................................................................................................... 88
103. CLARESSTORY .................................................................................................................... 89
YOURFEEDBACKISAPPRECIATED ............................................................................................ 90
7
LimitofLiabilityandDisclaimerofWarranty
Theauthorhasusedherbesteffortsinpreparingthisbook,andthe
informationprovidedhereinisprovidedasis.ChangeworksinPeople
Developmentmakesnorepresentationorwarrantieswithrespecttothe
accuracyorcompletenessofthecontentsofthisbookandspecifically
disclaimsanyimpliedwarrantiesofmerchantabilityorfitnessforany
particularpurposeandshallinnoeventbeliableforanylossofprofitorany
othercommercialdamage,includingbutnotlimitedtospecial,incidental,
consequential,orotherdamages.
Everyefforthasbeenmadetoidentifytheoriginalauthorsofthestories
includedinthisbook,anyomissionsarenotdeliberate.
Nopartofthisdocumentortherelatedfilesmaybereproducedor
transmittedinanyform,byanymeans(electronic,photocopying,recording,
orotherwise)withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionoftheauthor.
ImagesusedinthisbookhavebeensourcedfromStockExchange,
Istockphoto,Fotaliaandtheauthorspersonalpicturecollection.
8
ASprinklingofMagic
HowtocaptivateyourAudiencewithInspiringStoriesand
MetaphorsthatgiveMeaningtoyourMessage
Ifyouhavepurchased101InspiringStoriesandMetaphorsforBusinessand
Lifeasastandaloneebook,thenyoumightbemissingoutonthisperfect
accompaniment!
ASprinklingofMagicshowsyouhowtobringyourstoriestolifeand
captivateyouraudiencesthroughtools,techniquesandstepbystep
processesandstrategiestocreate,constructanddeliveryouruniquestories
andmetaphorsinawaythataddsthatmagictouch.
IfyouwouldliketoreceivetheChapterHeadings,andChapter1FREE,then
pleaseemailClareatclare@asprinklingofmagic.com
9
101InspiringQuotesforBusinessandLife
Aquotationislikeaminipowerpackedstory.Itcanbethemagicingredient
intherecipethatbringsoutalltheflavoursofthemetaphoricaldish.Ifyou
wanttocrediblysupportyourtheory,thentodosowithapowerfulquote
setsthesceneperfectly.
ForyourconvenienceIhavecreatedlinkstotheWikipediaencyclopaediaof
everyoriginalauthorofthequotesoyoucanaddtothecredibility.All
quoteshavebeencategorizedunderthemessuchasaccountability,attitude,
business,change,integrity,mindsetandmanymore.
101InspiringQuotesforBusinessandLifeincludesmypersonalcollectionof
favouritequotes.Ihaveheardthesequotesinworkshops,speeches,onthe
radioandtelevisionIhavereadtheminbooksorheardthembeingshared
byfamilyandfriends.Everysinglequoteinthislisthas,insomeway,
inspiredmetotakeactionorbehaveinamoreeffectiveway.
ThisebookisavailableexclusivelyandFREEOFCHARGEtothosewho
purchasebothASprinklingofMagicHowtocaptivateyourAudiencewith
InspiringStoriesandMetaphorsthatgiveMeaningtoyourMessageand
101InspiringStoriesandMetaphorsforBusinessandLife.
10
AboutClareEdwards
Clarespent16yearsworkingatseniormanagementlevel
with International organisations before deciding to follow
her vocational path into people development where she
worked with the UKs leading teambuilding companies,
challengingclientstotaketheirteamstothenextlevelof
performance.
Clare is a highly motivated organisational development professional with

extensiveexperienceinthehospitalityindustryandcorporatebusiness. Her
particular passions lie in helpingpeople to develop theirlevelsofemotional
resilience and happiness through her Bouncebackability programmes and
to develop self awareness and understanding of others through the
personality profiling systems of TMS Team Management Systems, and
AusIdentities
In2005, Clare relocated to Australia(QueenslandsSunshine Coast), where

she set up her business Changeworks consulting, coaching and facilitating
various programmes for her corporate and public sector clients. She is an
accomplished speaker who specialises in emotional resilience, personality
type,andcommunication.
Claresmissionissimplyoneofinspiringpotential.WhenyouworkwithClare
you embarkon a journey thatchallenges your capabilitiesand assumptions
beyondtheirlimitinghorizons,oftenleavingyouwithamazingresults.
Clare holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies from the

University of West London and is a certified Master Practitioner of Neuro
Linguistic Programming (NLP). She is a Member of the National Speakers
AssociationofAustralia(NSAA).
www.changeworks.com.au
11
Introduction
Storiesareanessentialandlivingpartofeverycultureworldwide.Theyhave
thatmagicabilitytobringoutthemeaninginthemessagewithoutoffence
orcondescension,deliveringamessagethatisuniquelyinterpretedbythe
listener.
WhereASprinklingofMagictakesyouthroughthestepsofconstructing
anddeliveringyourstoriesformaximumeffect,theaimofthisbookisto
provideyouwitharichandvarieddatabaseofstories,somewellknownand
otherslesserknown,thathavebeencategorisedaccordingtodiffering
messagesandmeanings.ThesecategoriesareonesthatIhavefoundtobe
usefulandyoumayfindamuchwiderapplicationasyouusethem,sothey
shouldntberestrictedtotheonesIsuggest.
Wearefamiliarwithstories,havingbeenbroughtupwithstorytellinginthe
family,communityandatschool.Storieshaveawayofconnectingthe
messagetothemeaningthroughtheuseofcharacters,examplesand
experiences,allwithwhichwecanidentifyonsomelevel.
Speakers,facilitators,trainers,teachers,businessleadersandprofessional
communicatorsandeducatorshavebeenusingstoriesforeffect,whether
gatheredfromvarioussourcesorbysharingtheirownstories,foryears.
Inadditiontothecategories,Ihavesometimesaddedmyownnotes,based
onmyexperienceofhavingtoldaparticularstory.Thisisdesignedto
enhancethecontextforyouinusingthestoryanditisnotmyintentionto
provideyouwithaninterpretation,asthatofcourse,isdowntoyouand
yourlistener!
Mayyoufindanappropriatestoryforeverymessageyouwanttodeliver,
enjoytellingthem,andalwayswithASprinklingofMagic!
Clare
12
OriginalSources,AuthorsandAcknowledgements
Ibegancollectingstoriesforuseinbusinessin1996whenIattendedAn
IntroductiontoNLPcourseatwork.Thiscoursewasrunbyaratherlarge,
forebodingrugbyplayingswearingKiwicalledJamieMoodie.Jamiewasa
masterofmetaphorandthefirststoryhetolduswasTheMexicanandthe
Fisherman.Iwashooked(pardonthepun)andbeganlisteningoutfor
storiesandgatheringthemintomymagicalmetaphorsfile,whichgrewover
theyears.
InadditiontoJamieIwouldliketothankRegConnollyofPegasusNLP,
ElizabethCairnsofAmovitaandTrevorSilvesterofTheQuestInstitutefor
helpingmedevelopapassionforstorytellingandforbeinglivingexamplesof
masterstorytellers.
Manyofthe101storiesyouwillreadhavetheirorigininreligiousparablesor
folkloretheSufis,Zen,HasidicandChristianparables,AncientIndian,
AfricanandChinesetales.OthersIwillhavegatheredfromthemany
coursesandseminarsIhaveattended,researchIhavedoneforfacilitating
workshopsandalsostoriespassedontomefromotherswhoknewofmy
passion.
WhereIam100%sureoftheorigin,Ihavecitedthisattheendofthestory.
Ihavealsomadeeveryattempttorattlemybrainsandrecall(anddulygive
creditto)thosewhosubmittedastorytome.
Iamkeentobeabletoacknowledgeoriginalauthorsandhaveattemptedto
dothisbysearchingontheInternetonlytofindmultipleoriginalauthors
againstthesamestory,sopleaseforgivemeifyouarethegenuineoriginal
authorofastoryandIwillrightfullyacknowledgeyouasIupdatethebook.
13
Why101?
Whysomanystories?Surelyahandfulwillsuffice?ToillustratemypointI
wouldliketoshareastorywithyou.
AParableofParablesTheBullsEye
Agreatrabbifellillandwastooweaktostudysohe
askedafamousstoryteller,whowasknownasthe
MaggidofDubno,tovisithimandreadhimstoriesand
parables.HeaskedtheMaggidhowcomehealways
hadastoryorparabletohandwitheverymorallesson
hewantedtoteach.
TheMaggidsmiledandresponded."Letmetellyouastory.
Therewasonceafamousarcherwhoenteredavillageandsawseveral
targetsdrawnonthewall.Intheperfectcentreofeachtargetwasanarrow.
Thearcherwasamazedandaskedthevillagerswhotheaccomplishedarcher
couldbe?
Thevillagerslaughedandsaid,Itsthevillagefoolwhoaccomplishesthese
greatfeats!Thearcheraskedtomeetthefool.Bringhimtomeforheis
trulygifted.Thevillagefoolwasbroughtbeforethearcher,whorespectfully
bowedandsaid,
Tellme,howisitthatyouareabletoshootabullseyeeverytimeyoufire
yourarrow?Thefoolrepliedwithacheekygrin,Itseasy!FirstIshootthe
arrowandthenIdrawthetarget!
TheMaggidthenexplained,Itisthesamewithmystories.FirstIintroduce
thetopicforwhichIhavetheperfectstory,andthenthestoryhelpsmeto
makemypointeverytime.
Andsothemoralofthestoryisthemorestoriesyouknow,themore
targetsyoullhit!
ThisstoryisbasedontheJewishHasidicstoriesandfirstcametomyattentionwhenlearning
aboutmetaphorsinNLP(NeuroLinguisticProgramming).
HorsesforCourses
JustastheBullsEyeparablesuggests,whenIhaveathemeormessageI
wanttoshare,Ilookupwhichisthemostappropriatestorytotell.
Relevanceisnotjustinthemeaning,italsoappliestounderstandingmy
audienceandmakingsurethatthemajorityatleastcanresonatewiththe
contentandstyleofthestory.
Afairytaletypeanecdotemaybealittlehardertoswallowwithagroupof
highlyanalytical,rationalandpracticalscientistsorfinancialanalysts(though
dontruleitoutoneday!)soIhaveaimedtocatertoavaryingaudience.
14
CategorisationGuidelines
ThecategoriesIhavechosenforeachofthestoriesarebasedonmy
experienceandpersonalinterpretationofthestories.Inordertomakeitas
easyaspossible,thereisacrossreferencingofcategories.
Firstly,youwillfindatableofcontentsthatliststhestoryandthecategories
Ihavechosenasasubheadingsoforeachstoryyoureadyoucanseewhat
Ibelievearetheykeymeaningsitreflects.
Secondly,Ihavecompiledalistofcategoriesandagainsteachcategoryis
thecorrespondingstorynumberthatrelatestoit.So,forexample,whenyou
lookatthecategoryofLeadership,youwillseethatstoriesxxxxxx,inmy
opinion,areeffectiveatcommunicatingcertainelementsofleadership.
Asyoucanseeinthetable,theprimarycategoryalsoincorporatessimilar
categories.
YourinputisWelcome!
Myhopeisthatthisremainsaliving,everenhancingresourcesoifyouhave
experienceofsharingastoryanditrelatestoadifferentcategoryoryou
wouldliketoshareyourexperienceofusingthesestories,pleasefeedback
throughthefollowingchannels:
1. OnmyASprinklingofMagicblogsite
http://asprinklingofmagic.wordpress.com
2. Directlytomyemailclare@asprinklingofmagic.com
15
Categories
Ca
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ry
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Cat
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ie
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sr
re
el
la
at
ti
in
ng
gt
to
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th
hi
is
sC
Ca
at
te
eg
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Sto
Acceptance(awarenessinc.self
awareness)
17,20,26,27,30,44,53,67,80,84
Accountability(responsibility)
AdaptingtoChange(dealing
withandmanagingchange)
42,50,57,67,70,94,99
Attitude
3,5,10,38,48,62,97
1,2,9,16,18,25,37,43,46,51,55,68,
71,81,87,89,91,96
ChallengingtheStatusQuo
5,28,52,65,72
Choice
ClarityofCommunication
(communicatingforeffect)
Consequencesofassumptions
(andactions)
Courage(expandingyour
comfortzone,facingyourfears)
18,24,28,32,42,54,86,87,89
Culture(organisational)
5,13,14,16,19,25,28,38,52,53,61,72,83
DifferentPerspectives
(embracingdiversity)
2,3,6,15,20,23,26,30,37,44,49,54,
59,68,69,79,80,97
11,12,16,88
11,12,31,34,56,66,80,88
35,42,48,63,73,94
Empowerment
8,60,81,83
FindingtheGiftintheChallenge
(obstacles,asopportunities,
1,4,8,10,17,21,65,81
reframingchallenges,the
blessingindisguise)
Forgiveness(lettinggo,moving
on)
37,41,71
Gratitude
2,13,14,61,79
Initiative
4,62,92
Innovation(creativity)
19,25,36,62,83
Inspiration(motivation)
39,60,62,74,76,81,100
Integrity(honesty)
LateralThinking(creative
thinking,quickthinking)
7,9,29,33,40,44,78,90
11,19,23,25,45,63,69,86
16
Leadership
LivingyourTruth(authenticity,
congruence)
Optimism(hope,
encouragement)
23,24,33,35,39,40,41,62,64,74,92,95,98
Perception
56,69,71,75,82,84,89,97,101
Personalitytype
20,37
Prioritisation(worklifebalance)
Persistence(determination,
perseverance,nevergivingup)
59,75,77,85,91
Resilience(bouncingbackfrom
adversity)
Takingrisks(expandingyour
comfortzone)
1,18,21,22,32,40,43,46,51
62,64,68,87,91,93
Teamwork
15,19,47,48,53,55,61
Trust
Values
30,48,83,98
2,7,13,14,19,29,33,40,47,49,53
71,76,85
Vision(mission)
6,38,39,58,76
Wisdom
23,41,45,46,49,57,63,77,78,92,95,101
9,24,27,39,50,90,94,100
10,21,43,82,87,93,96,100
22,32,43,51,64,73,93
24,48,65
17
101Stories
1. AChancetoStartover
Attitude,ObstaclesasOpportunities,Resilience
ItwasacoldDecembernightinWestOrange,NewJersey.ThomasEdison'sfactory
washummingwithactivity.Workwasproceedingonavarietyoffrontsasthegreat
inventorwastryingtoturnmoreofhisdreamsintopracticalrealities.Edison'splant,
madeofconcreteandsteel,wasdeemed"fireproof".Asyoumayhavealready
guessed,itwasn't!
Onthatfrigidnightin1914,theskywaslitupbyasensationalblazethathadburst
throughtheplantroof.Edison's24yearoldsonCharles,madeafrenziedsearchfor
hisfamousinventorfather.Whenhefinallyfoundhim,hewaswatchingthefire.His
whitehairwasblowinginthewind.Hisfacewasilluminatedbytheleapingflames.
"Myheartachedforhim"saidCharles."Herehewas,67yearsoldandeverythinghe
hadworkedforwasgoingupinflames.
Whenhesawme,heshouted,Charles!Where'syourmother?WhenItoldhimI
didn'tknow,hesaid,Findher!Bringherhere!She'llneverseeanythinglikethisas
longasshelives."
Nextmorning,ThomasEdisonlookedattheruinsofhisfactoryandsaidthisofhis
loss"There'svalueindisaster,allourmistakesareburnedup.ThankGod,wecan
startanew."
Sourceunknown
ClaresnotesThomasEdisonisoneofmyheroesandmentorsandthisstory
reflectsperfectlytheabilitytoreframeachallengeandfindthegift.Ioftenaskof
myworkshopattendeeswhatdifferenceitcouldmakeiftheycouldfindthegiftin
theirchallengeasithappens(orsoonafter)asopposedtoyearsdowntheline.
2. BeautyTipsbyAudreyHepburn
Attitude,DifferentPerspectives,Gratitude,Values
Forattractivelips,speakwordsofkindness.
Forlovelyeyes,seekoutthegoodinpeople.
Foraslimfigure,shareyourfoodwiththehungry.
Forbeautifulhair,letachildrunhisorherfingersthroughitonceaday.
Forpoise,walkwiththeknowledgeyou'llneverwalkalone.
People,evenmorethanthings,havetoberestored,renewed,revived,reclaimed
andredeemedneverthrowoutanybody.
Remember,ifyoueverneedahelpinghand,you'llfindoneattheendofyourarm.
Asyougrowolderyouwilldiscoverthatyouhavetwohandsoneforhelping
yourself,theotherforhelpingothers.
AuthorAudreyHepburn
ClaresnotesthisisjustasectionoftheverseandIkeepacopyofitinmypurse.
WhenIfindsomeonefocusedonthesuperfluous,Ifindthisagentlewaytoremind
themofwhattruebeautyis.
18
3. (The)BlindMen&theElephant
AdaptingtoChange,DifferentPerspectives
Sixblindmenwerediscussingexactlywhattheybelievedanelephanttobe,since
eachhadheardhowstrangethecreaturewas,yetnonehadeverseenonebefore.
Sotheblindmenagreedtofindanelephantanddiscoverwhattheanimalwasreally
like.
Itdidn'ttaketheblindmenlongtofindanelephantatanearbymarket.Thefirst
blindmanapproachedthebeastandfelttheanimal'sfirmflatside."Itseemstome
thattheelephantisjustlikeawall,"hesaidtohisfriends.
Thesecondblindmanreachedoutandtouchedoneoftheelephant'stusks."No,this
isroundandsmoothandsharptheelephantislikeaspear."
Intrigued,thethirdblindmansteppeduptotheelephantandtoucheditstrunk.
"Well,Ican'tagreewitheitherofyouIfeelasquirmingwrithingthingsurelythe
elephantisjustlikeasnake."
Thefourthblindmanwasofcoursebynowquitepuzzled.Sohereachedout,and
felttheelephant'sleg."Youarealltalkingcompletenonsense,"hesaid,"because
clearlytheelephantisjustlikeatree."
Utterlyconfused,thefifthblindmansteppedforwardandgrabbedoneofthe
elephant'sears."Youmustallbemadanelephantisexactlylikeafan."
Thesixthmanthenapproached,and,holdingthebeast'stail,disagreedagain."It's
nothinglikeanyofyourdescriptionstheelephantisjustlikearope."
Andallsixblindmencontinuedtoargue,basedontheirownparticularexperiences,
astowhattheythoughtanelephantwaslike.Itwasanargumentthattheywere
neverabletoresolve.Eachofthemwasconcernedonlywiththeirownidea.Noneof
themhadthefullpicture,andnonecouldseeanyoftheother'spointofview.Each
mansawtheelephantassomethingquitedifferent,andwhileinparteachblindman
wasright,nonewaswhollycorrect.
ThisistheIndianversionofthisoldparable,theoriginalcomingfromChina
sometimeduringtheHandynasty(202BC220AD)
ClaresnotesIfirstheardthisstorywhenIwaslearningNLPanditwasusedtoget
ustosee(pardonthepun)thateachofusviewsandperceivestheworldinourown
uniquewayandthemoreweinvesttimeandenergytowalkintheothermans
shoes,thebettercommunicatorsweshallbecome
4. (The)BoulderandtheKing
Initiative,ObstaclesasOpportunities
Inancienttimes,aKinghadaboulderplacedonaroadway.Hethenhidhimselfand
watchedtoseeifanyonewouldtrytoremovetheboulder.Someoftheking's
wealthiestmerchantsandcourtierscamebyandsimplywalkedaroundit.Many
loudlyblamedtheKingfornotkeepingtheroadsclear,butnoonedidanything
aboutgettingthestoneoutoftheway.
Thenapeasantcamealongcarryingaloadofvegetables.Uponapproachingthe
19
boulder,thepeasantlaiddownhisloadandtriedtomovetherocktothesideofthe
road.
Aftermuchpushingandstraining,hefinallysucceeded.Asthepeasantpickeduphis
loadofvegetables,henoticedapurselyingintheroadwheretheboulderhadbeen.
ThepursecontainedmanygoldcoinsandanotefromtheKingstatingthatthegold
wasforthepersonwhoremovedtheboulderfromtheroadway.Thepeasantlearned
whatmanyofusneverunderstand!
Everyobstaclepresentsanopportunitytoimproveourcondition.
Parablebyunknownauthor
Claresnotesthisisagreatstorytousewhenyouwanttodeliverthemessage
simplyandifyouhaveayoungeraudience.IusethisstoryinASprinklingofMagic
toillustratemymethodofrememberingstories.
5. Brewery&Horses
AdaptingtoChange,ChallengingtheStatusQuo,Culture
Anold,traditionalbrewerydecidedtoinstallanewcanningline,sothatitsbeer
productscouldbemarketedtosupermarkets.Thisrepresentedamajorchangefor
thecompanyandlocaldignitariesandpastemployeeswereinvitedtowitnessthe
firstrunningofthenewcanningline,whichwasfollowedbyabuffetanddrinks.
Afterthenewlinehadbeenswitchedonsuccessfully,theguestsrelaxedinsmall
groupstochatandenjoythebuffet.Inaquietcornerstoodthreemendiscussing
trucksandtransportanddistribution,sinceonewasthepresentdistribution
manager,andtheothertwowerepastholdersofthepost,havingretiredmany
yearsago.Thethreemenrepresentedthreegenerationsofcompanydistribution
management,spanningoversixtyyears.
Thepresentdistributionmanagerconfessedthathisjobwasbecomingmore
stressfulbecausecompanypolicyrequiredlongdeliveriestobemadeonMondayand
Tuesday,shortdeliveriesonFridays,andallotherdeliveriesmidweek."It'sso
difficulttoschedulethingsefficientlyheavenknowswhatwe'lldowiththesenew
cansandthetightdemandsofthesupermarkets..."Theothertwomennoddedin
agreement.
"Itwasthesameinmyday,"sympathisedthepresentmanager'spredecessor,"It
alwaysseemedstrangetomethattrucksreturningearlyonMondaysandTuesdays
couldn'tbeusedforlittlelocalruns,becausethelocaldeliverieshadtobeleftuntil
Friday."
Thethirdmannodded,andwasthinkinghard,strugglingtorecallthepolicy'sroots
manyyearsagowhenhe'dhavebeenajuniorinthedespatchdepartment.Aftera
pause,thethirdmansmiledandthenventuredasuggestion.
"IthinkIremembernow,"hesaid,"Itwasthehorses.....duringtheSecondWorld
War,fuelrationingwasintroduced.Sowemothballedthetrucksandwentbackto
usingthehorses.OnMondaysthehorseswerewellrestedaftertheweekend
hencethelongdeliveries.ByFridaythehorsesweresotiredtheycouldonlyhandle
theshortlocaldrops..."
Soonaftertheopeningofthenewcanninglinethecompanychangeditsdelivery
policy.
Originalsourceunknown
20
ClaresnotesIfirstfoundthisstoryafewyearsagoonAlanChapmans
comprehensivesiteBusinessballsandhaveuseditfrequentlytochallengepeopleto
questionwhythingsarethewaytheyareandtoactivelyseekalternativesand
improvementstoexistingprocessesandtochallengetheirculture
6. BuildingaCathedral
DifferentPerspectives,Vision
Thereoncewerethreestonecutters.Thefirst,whenaskedbyastrangeraboutwhat
heisdoing,says,"Can'tyouseeI'mcuttingstones?"Thestrangerquicklymoves
off.
Hecomesuponasecondwho,whenaskedaboutwhatheisdoing,says,"I'm
workingforincomesoIcantakecareofmyfamily."Thestrangermoveson.
Hecomesuponthethirdstonecutterwho,whenaskedaboutwhatheisdoing,says
withasmileandaffirmation,"I'mbuildingacathedral.EachstoneIcutisplacedinto
ahouseofpraisethatwillbeherecenturiesafterIamgone."
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesthisisawellknownstoryyetIcontinuetouseitwhenchallenging
peopleaboutthebusinesstheyareinandhelpingthemtoseethebiggerpicture.
7. (The)ButchersChicken
Integrity,values
Abutcher,whohadhadaparticularlygoodday,proudlyflippedhislastchickenona
scaleandweighedit."Thatwillbe$12.35,"hetoldthecustomer.
"That'sagoodprice,butitreallyisalittletoosmall,"saidthewoman."Don'tyou
haveanythinglarger?"
Hesitating,butthinkingfast,theclerkreturnedthechickentotherefrigerator,
pausedamoment,thentookitoutagain.
"Thisone,"hesaidfaintly,"willbe$13.85."
Thewomanpausedforamomentthenmadeherdecision...
"Iknowwhat,"shesaid,"I'lltakebothofthem!"
Authorunknown
8. (The)Butterfly
Empowerment,FindingtheGiftintheChallenge
Amanfoundachrysalisforabutterfly.Onedayasmall
openingappeared,hesatandwatchedthebutterflyfor
severalhoursasitstruggledtoforceitsbodythroughthe
littlehole.Thenitseemedtostopmakinganyprogress.It
appearedstuck.
Themandecidedtohelpthebutterflyandwithapairofscissorshecutopenthe
chrysalis.Thebutterflythenemergedeasily.Somethingwasntrighthowever.The
butterflyhadaswollenbodyandshrivelledwings.
21
Themanwatchedthebutterflyexpectingittotakeonitscorrectproportionsbut
nothingchanged.
Thebutterflystayedthesame.Itwasneverabletofly.Inhiskindnessandhaste
themandidnotrealisethatthebutterfly'sstruggletogetthroughthesmallopening
ofthechrysalis,isnatureswayofforcingfluidfromthebodyofthebutterflyintoits
wingssothatitwouldbereadyforflight.
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesregardlessoftheageoftheaudienceIhavetoldthisstorycountless
timesandtogreateffect.ItssuchaclearillustrationofFindingtheGiftinthe
Challengeandmakesiteasytotransitionintodiscussionwithagrouphelpingthem
touncovertheirgifts.
9. (The)Carpenter'sHouse
Attitude,Integrity,LivingyourTruth
Anelderlycarpenterwasreadytoretire.Hehadworkedmorethan30yearsforthe
samefirmandproudlyhadeverhadonerecallonhisworkmanship.Hetoldhis
employerofhisplanstoleavethehousebuildingbusinessandliveamoreleisurely
lifewithhiswifeenjoyinghisextendedfamily.
Hewouldmissthemoneyandthecamaraderie,butheknewhewasmakingthe
rightdecision.Thebosswassorrytoseesuchadedicatedandskilledemployeego
andaskedifhecouldbuildjustonemorehouseasapersonalfavour.Thecarpenter
saidyes,butintimeitwaseasytoseethathisheartwasnotinhiswork.He
resortedtoshoddyworkmanshipandusedinferiormaterials,coveringhismistakes
oversotheywerentobvious.Itwasanunfortunatewaytoendhiscareer.
Whenthecarpenterfinishedhisworkandthebuildercametoinspectthehouse,the
bosshandedthefrontdoorkeytohim. "Thisisyourhouse,"hesaid,"mygiftto
youforallyourhardwork,dedication,perfectionismandhonesty."
Authorunknown,ack.JamieMoodie
ClaresnotesThisstoryhasmanyapplicationsandIhavefounditparticularly
effectivewhendeliveringtopeopleworkatradeforobviousreasons.Ioften
elaborateitwithdetailsofhowhecutcornersandabigretirementpartywithallthe
othertradespeoplegatheredaround.
10.
Carrots,Eggs&Coffee
AdaptingtoChange,ObstaclesasOpportunities,Optimism
Ayoungwomanwenttohermotherandtoldheraboutherlifeandhowthingswere
sohardforher.Shedidntknowhowshewasgoingtocarryonandwantedtogive
up.Shewastiredoffightingandstruggling.Itseemedasoneproblemwassolved,a
newoneturnedup.Hermothertookhertothekitchenandfilledthreepotswith
water,placingeachonahighflame.Soonthepotsstartedtoboil.
Inthefirstsheplacedcarrots,inthesecondsheplacedeggs,andinthelastshe
placedgroundcoffeebeans.Sheletthemsitandboil,withoutsayingaword.
Inabouttwentyminutessheturnedofftheburners.Shefishedthecarrotsoutand
placedtheminabowl.Shepulledtheeggsoutandplacedtheminabowl.Thenshe
ladledthecoffeeoutandplaceditinabowl.
22
Turningtoherdaughter,sheasked,"Tellmewhatyousee."
Carrots,eggs,andcoffee,"shereplied.
Hermotherbroughthercloserandaskedhertofeelthecarrots. Shedidandnoted
thattheyweresoft.Themotherthenaskedthedaughtertotakeaneggandbreak
it.Afterpullingofftheshell,sheobservedthehardboiledegg.Finally,themother
askedthedaughtertosipthecoffee.Thedaughtersmiledasshetasteditsrich
aroma.Thedaughterthenasked,"Whatdoesitmean,mother?"
Hermotherexplainedthateachoftheseobjectshadfacedthesameadversity
boilingwater.Eachreacteddifferently.
Thecarrotwentinstrong,hard,andunrelenting.However,afterbeingsubjectedto
theboilingwater,itsoftenedandbecameweak.
Theegghadbeenfragile.Itsthinoutershellhadprotecteditsliquidinterior,but
aftersittingthroughtheboilingwater,itsinsidebecamehardened.
Thegroundcoffeebeanswereunique,however.Aftertheywereintheboilingwater,
theyhadchangedthewater.
Whichareyou?"sheaskedherdaughter."Whenadversityknocksonyourdoor,
howdoyourespond?Areyouacarrot,aneggoracoffeebean?"
Thecarrotseemsstrong,butwithpainandadversityitwiltsandbecomessoftlosing
anystrength.Theeggstartswithamalleableheart,butchangeswiththeheat.The
shellmayshelllookthesame,butontheinsideitisbitterandtough?
Thecoffeebeanactuallychangesthehotwater,theverycircumstancethatbrings
thepain.Whenthewatergetshot,itreleasesthefragranceandflavour.
Areyouacarrot,aneggoracoffeebean?
Authorunknown,ack.emailreceived
ClaresnotesIhaveusedthisstoryacoupleoftimeswithyouthgroups.Itake
withmeacarrot,aneggandahandfulofcoffeebeansasprops(makesuretoboil
theegg!)andfacilitatethediscussionaboutwhichoneareyouandwhyandwhat
itwouldtaketobecomemorelikethebean.
11.
Catchingaflight
ClarityofCommunication,ConsequencesofAssumptions,LateralThinking
Amanandhiswifehadbeenarguingallnight,andasbedtimeapproachedneither
wasspeakingtotheother.Itwasnotunusualforthepairtocontinuethiswarof
silencefortwoorthreedaysbutonthisoccasionthemanwasconcernedbecause
heneededtobeawakeat4:30amthenextmorningtocatchanimportantflight.
Beingaveryheavysleeper,heusuallyreliedonhiswifetowakehim.
Whilehiswifewasinthebathroom,hewroteonapieceofpaper:Pleasewakeme
at4:30amIhaveanimportantflighttocatch.Heputthenoteonhiswife'spillow,
thenturnedoverandwenttosleep.
23
Themanawokethenextmorningandlookedattheclock.Itwas8:00am.Furious
thathehadmissedhisflight,hewasabouttogoinsearchofhiserrantwifetogive
herapieceofhismind,whenhespottedahandwrittennoteonhisbedsidecabinet.
Thenotesaid:It's4:30amgetup.
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesIheardthisstoryontheradioafewyearsbackanditmademe
chuckle.TherearemanymessagesinthisshortanecdoteIliketothinkthatit
inspirespeoplenevertogosleeponabadword!
12.
Chickens&Windows
ClarityofCommunication,ConsequencesofAssumptions
Engineersatamajoraerospacecompanywereinstructedtotesttheeffectsofbird
strikes(notablygeese)onthewindshieldsofairlinersandmilitaryjets.Tosimulate
theeffectofagoosecollidingwithanaircrafttravellingathighspeed,thetest
engineersbuiltapowerfulgun,withwhichtheyfireddeadchickensatthe
windshields.Thesimulationsusingthegunandthedeadchickensworkedextremely
effectively,happilyprovingthesuitabilityofthewindshields,andseveralarticles
abouttheprojectappearedinthetestingindustrypress.
Itsohappenedthatanothertestlaboratoryinadifferentpartoftheworldwas
involvedinassessingbirdstrikesinthiscaseonthewindshieldsanddrivers'cabsof
newultrahighspeedtrains.Thetraintestengineershadreadaboutthepioneering
testdevelopedbytheaerospaceteam,andsotheyapproachedthemtoaskfor
specificationsofthegunandthetestingmethods.Theaerospaceengineersduly
gavethemthedetailsandthetrainengineerssetaboutbuildingtheirown
simulation.
Thesimulatedbirdstriketestsonthetrainwindshieldsandcabsproducedshocking
results.Thesupposedstateoftheartandshatterproofhighspeedtrain
windshieldsofferedlittleresistancetothehighspeedchickensinfacteverysingle
windshieldthatwassubmittedfortestingwassmashedtopieces,alongwitha
numberoftraincabsandmuchofthetestboothitself.
Thehorrifiedtrainengineerswereconcernedthatthenewhighspeedtrainsrequired
asafetytechnologythatwasbeyondtheirexperience,sotheycontactedthe
aerospaceteamforadviceandsuggestions,sendingthemanextensivereportofthe
testsandfailures.
Thebriefreplycamebackfromtheaeroengineers.."Youneedtodefrostthe
chickens...."
ClaresnotesIsometimesusethisstoryinmycommunicationsandpersonality
typeworkshopsanditalwaysraisesachuckle.Ioftenasktheparticipantswhatthey
thinkthereturnadvicewasandabout3outof10guessthattheywereusingfrozen
chickens.Ohhowweassumewearebeingsuperclear!
24
13.
CircleofJoy
Culture,Gratitude,Values
Acountrymanknockedhardonamonasterydoor.Whenthe
monktendingthegatesopenedup,hewasgivenamagnificent
basketofgrapes.Brother,thesearethefinestmyvineyardhasproduced.Ive
cometobearthemasagift.Thankyou!IwilltakethemtotheAbbot
immediatelyhellbedelightedwiththisoffering.No!Ibroughtthemforyousaid
theman.Forme?themonkblushedforhedidntthinkhedeservedsuchafinegift
ofnature.Yes,insistedtheman.ForwheneverIknockonthedoor,itisyouwho
opensit.WhenIneededhelpbecausethecropwasdestroyedbydrought,yougave
meapieceofbreadandacupofwineeveryday.Ihopethisbunchofgrapeswill
bringyoualittleofthesunslove,therainsbeautyandthemiracleofGod,foritis
hemadeitgrowsofine.
Themonkkeptlookingatthebasketofgrapesandthoughthowbeautifultheywere.
BecauseofthishedecidedtodeliverthegifttotheAbbotwhoalwaysencouraged
himwithwordsofwisdom.TheAbbotwasverypleasedwiththegrapes,buthe
recalledthattherewasasickbrotherinthemonastery,andthought:Illgivehim
thegrapes.Whoknows,theymaybringsomejoytohislife.Andthatiswhathedid.
Butthegrapesdidntstayinthesickmonksroomforlong,forhereflected:
Thecookhaslookedaftermeforsolong,feedingmeonlythebestmeals.Imsure
hewillenjoythese.Whenthecookappearedatlunch,tobringhimhismeal,he
presentedhimwiththegrapes.
Theyreforyousaidthesickmonk.Sinceyouarealwayscomingintocontactwith
thatwhichnatureproduces,youwillknowwhattodowiththisworkofGod.The
cookwasamazedatthebeautyofthegrapesandshowedhisassistanthowperfect
theywere.Soperfect,hethoughttohimself,thatnoonewouldappreciatethem
morethanthesextonsincehewasresponsiblefortheHolySacramentandmanyat
themonasteryconsideredhimaholyman.
Thesexton,inturn,gavethegrapesasagifttotheyoungestnovice,thathemight
understandthattheworkofGodscreation.Whenthenovicereceivedthem,his
heartwasfilledwithgratitudeforhehadneverseensuchbeautifulgrapes.
Justthen,herememberedthefirsttimehecametothemonastery,andofthe
personwhohadopenedthegatesforhimitwasthatgesturewhichallowedhimto
beamongthiscommunityofpeoplewhoknewhowtovaluethewondersoflife.And
so,justbeforenightfall,hetookthegrapestothemonkatthegates.
Eatandenjoythemhesaid.Foryouspendmostofyourtimealonehere,and
thesegrapeswillmakeyouveryhappy.Themonkunderstoodthatthegifthad
beentrulydestinedforhim,andrelishedeachofthegrapes,beforefallingintoa
pleasantsleep.
Thusthecirclewasclosedthecircleofhappinessandjoy,whichalwaysshines
brightlyaroundgenerouspeople.
OriginalauthorBrunoFerrero
ClaresnotesIoftenshortenthisstorywhichIfirstcameacrossasafollowerof
thesiteInspirationpeak.Itsabeautifulexampleofthelawofreciprocity.Ifyou
dontwanttouseareligiouscontextthenyoucanchangeittoacompanyorfamily
orhospitaljustuseyourimagination.Thegrapescanbereplacedwithchocolates,
flowersorwhateveryourimaginationwantstouse!
25
14.
(The)CleaningLady
Culture,Gratitude,Values
Duringmysecondmonthofnursingschool,ourprofessorgaveusapopquiz.Iwas
aconscientiousstudentandhadbreezedthroughthequestions,untilIreadthelast
one:"Whatisthefirstnameofthewomanwhocleanstheschool?"Surelythiswas
somekindofjoke.Ihadseenthecleaningwomanmanytimes.Shewastall,dark
hairedandinher50s,buthowwouldIknowhername? Ihandedinmypaper,
leavingthelastquestionblank.
Beforeclassended,onestudentaskedifthelastquestionwouldcounttowardour
quizgrade. "Absolutely"saidtheprofessor."Inyourcareersyouwillmeetmany
people,allofwhomaresignificant. Theydeserveyourattentionandcare,evenifall
youdoissmileandsayHello."
TheladysnamewasDorothy.
OriginalsourcecitedasJoanneC.Jones
ClaresnotesIreceivedthisinagenericemailandampassionateaboutits
message.WhenIwasamanagerinthehospitalityindustryIusedtoaskmyteamof
frontofficestaffwhatwouldbetheconsequencesofnothavingakitchenporterfora
day?Mylogocontainscogsbecause,nomatterhowsmallthecog,allareofequal
importanceandneededtomakethemechanism(ororganisation)worksmoothly.
15.
(The)ColoursofFriendship
EmbracingDiversity,Teamwork
Onceallthecoloursoftheworldcametogetherand,insteadof
harmony,therewasinfightingandcompetition.Allclaimedthatthey
werethebest,themostimportant,themostuseful,thefavourite.
GREENsaid"ClearlyIamthemostimportant.Iamthesignoflifeandofhope.I
waschosenforgrass,treesandleaves.Withoutme,allanimalswoulddie.Lookover
thecountrysideandyouwillseethatIaminthemajority."
BLUEinterrupted"Youonlythinkabouttheearth,butconsidertheskyandthesea.
Itisthewaterthatisthebasisoflifeanddrawnupbythecloudsfromthedeepsea.
Theskygivesspaceandpeaceandserenity.Withoutmypeace,youwouldallbe
nothing."
YELLOWchuckled"Youareallsoserious.Ibringlaughter,gaietyandwarmthinto
theworld.Thesunisyellow,themoonisyellow,thestarsareyellow.Everytime
youlookatasunflower,thewholeworldstartstosmile.Withoutmetherewouldbe
nofun."
ORANGEstartednexttoblowhertrumpet"Iamthecolourofhealthandstrength.
Imaybescarce,butIampreciousforIservetheneedsofhumanlife.Icarrythe
mostimportantvitamins.Thinkofcarrots,pumpkins,oranges,mangoes,and
papayas.Idon'thangaroundallthetime,butwhenIfilltheskyatsunriseor
sunset,mybeautyissostrikingthatnoonegivesanotherthoughttoanyofyou."
26
REDcouldstanditnolonger,heshoutedout:"Iamtherulerofallofyou.Iam
bloodlife'sblood!Ibringfireintotheblood.Iamwillingtofightforacause.Iam
thecolourofdangerandofbravery.Withoutme,theearthwouldbeasemptyas
themoon.Iamthecolourofpassionandoflove,theredrose,thepoinsettiaand
thepoppy."
PURPLEroseuptohisfullheightHewasverytallandspokewithgreatpomp:"I
amthecolourofroyaltyandpower.Kings,chiefs,andbishopshavealwayschosen
me,forIamthesignofauthorityandwisdom.Peopledonotquestionme!They
listenandobey."
FinallyINDIGOspoke,muchmorequietlythanalltheothers,butwithjustasmuch
determination:"Thinkofme.Iamthecolourofsilence.Youhardlynoticeme,but
withoutmeyouallbecomesuperficial.Irepresentthoughtandreflection,twilight
anddeepwater.Youneedmeforbalanceandcontrast,forprayerandinnerpeace."
Sothecolourswentonboasting,eachconvincedoftheirownsuperiority.The
quarrelingbecamelouderandlouder.Suddenlytherewasastartlingflashofbright
lightening.Thunderrolledandboomed,rainstartedtopourdownrelentlessly.The
colourscroucheddowninfear,drawingclosetooneanotherforcomfort.Inthe
midstoftheclamour,rainbegantospeak:
"Youfoolishcolours,fightingamongstyourselves,eachtryingtodominatetherest.
Don'tyouknowthatyouwereeachmadeforaspecialpurpose,uniqueand
different?Joinhandswithoneanotherandcometome."
Doingastheyweretold,thecoloursunitedandjoinedhands.Theraincontinued:
"Fromnowon,whenitrains,eachofyouwillstretchacrosstheskyinagreatbow
ofcolourasareminderthatyoucanallliveinpeace.TheRainbowisasignofhope
fortomorrow."
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesIhaventtriedthisoutonteambuildingforadultsyet.Itssucha
goodmetaphorforteamworkthoughthatIwantedtoincludeitasIbelieveitcould
bepowerfulforyoungpeoplewantingtoworkasateam.Itcanalsoextendto
diversityofdifferingcharacteristicsandstrengths.
16.
ConsequencesofSelfImportance
Attitude,ClarityofCommunication,Culture
ADepartmentofWaterResourcesrepresentativestopsataruralfarmandtalkswith
anoldfarmer.Hetellsthefarmer,Ineedtoinspectyourfarmforyourwater
allocation.
Theoldfarmersays,Okay,butdon'tgointhatfieldoverthere.
TheWaterrepresentativepuffshimselfupandsays,Mister,Ihavetheauthorityof
theFederalGovernmentwithme.Seethiscard?ThiscardmeansIamallowedtogo
WHEREVERIWISHonanyagriculturalland.Noquestionsaskedoranswered.HaveI
mademyselfclear?Doyouunderstand?
Theoldfarmernodspolitelyandgoesabouthiswork.
Later,thefarmercanhearloudscreamsandspiestheWaterReprunningforhislife
andclosebehindisthefarmer'sbull.Thebullisgainingwitheverystep.
27
TheRepisclearlyterrified,sotheoldfarmerimmediatelythrowsdownhistools,
runstothefenceandyellsatthetopofhislungs.....
YOURCARDSHOWHIMYOURCARD!
ClaresnotesIreceivedthisinanemailandthetimingwasperfectIwasjust
abouttorunateambuildwith60peoplefromtheregionalwatersupplierandusedit
intheopening!Youcouldhavealotoffunwiththisandchangeittoanyindustry
anditsetsthescenewellfordiscussionsaroundcultureandpolicy.
17.
(The)CrackedPot
Acceptance,FindingtheGiftintheChallenge
AwaterbearerinIndiahadtwolargepots,eachhungontheendofapolewhichhe
carriedacrosshisneck.Oneofthepotswasperfectlymadeandneverleaked.The
otherpothadacrackinitandbythetimethewaterbearerreachedhismaster's
houseithadleakedmuchofitswaterandwasonlyhalffull.
Forafulltwoyearsthiswentondaily,withthebearerdeliveringonlyoneandahalf
potsfullofwatertohismaster'shouse.Ofcourse,theperfectpotwasproudofits
accomplishments.Butthepoorcrackedpotwasashamedofitsownimperfection,
andmiserablethatitwasabletoaccomplishonlyhalfofwhatithadbeenmadeto
do.
Aftertwoyearsofwhatitperceivedtobeabitterfailure,itspoketothewater
beareronedaybythestream."Iamashamedofmyself,andIwanttoapologizeto
you.""Why?"askedthebearer."Whatareyouashamedof?""Ihavebeenable,for
thesepasttwoyears,todeliveronlyhalfmyloadbecausethiscrackinmyside
causeswatertoleakoutallthewaybacktoyourmaster'shouse.Becauseofmy
flaws,youhavetodoallofthiswork,andyoudon'tgetfullvaluefromyourefforts,"
thepotsaid.
Thewaterbearerfeltsorryfortheoldcrackedpot,andinhiscompassionhesaid,
"Aswereturntothemaster'shouse,Iwantyoutonoticethebeautifulflowersalong
thepath."
Indeed,astheywentupthehill,theoldcrackedpottooknoticeofthesunwarming
thebeautifulwildflowersonthesideofthepath,andthischeereditsome.Butat
theendofthetrail,itstillfeltbadbecauseithadleakedouthalfitsload,andso
againthepotapologisedtothebearerforitsfailure.
Thebearersaidtothepot,"Didyounoticethattherewere
flowersonlyonyoursideofyourpath,butnotonthe
otherpot'sside?That'sbecauseIhavealwaysknown
aboutyourflaw,andItookadvantageofit.Iplanted
flowerseedsonyoursideofthepath,andeverydaywhile
wewalkbackfromthestream,you'vewateredthem.For
twoyearsIhavebeenabletopickthesebeautifulflowers
todecoratemymaster'stable.Withoutyoubeingjustthe
wayyouare,hewouldnothavethisbeautytogracehis
house."
BasedonanIndianparable
28
ClaresnotesawellknownstorythatstillpacksapunchandonewhichIhave
usedofteninonetoonecoaching.
18.
(On)DealingwithAbuse
Attitude,Choice,Resilience
AtaleistoldabouttheBuddha,Gautama(563483BC),theIndianPrinceand
spiritualleaderwhoseteachingsfoundedBuddhism.
OnanoccasionwhentheBuddhawasteachingagroupofpeople,hefoundhimself
onthereceivingendofafierceoutburstofabusefromamanwhowasangrythat
hissonwasbeingtakenasamonk.TheBuddhalistenedpatientlywhilethe
strangerventedhisrage,andthentheBuddhasaidtothegroupandtothe
stranger,
"Ifsomeonegivesagifttoanotherperson,whothenchoosestodeclineit,tellme,
whowouldthenownthegift,thegiverorthepersonwhorefusestoacceptthegift?"
"Thegiver,"saidthegroupafteralittlethought."Anyfoolcanseethat,"addedthe
angrystranger.
"Thenitfollows,doesitnot,"saidtheBuddha,"Wheneverapersontriestoabuse
us,ortounloadtheirangeronus,wecaneachchoosetodeclineortoacceptthe
abusewhethertomakeitoursornot.Byourpersonalresponsetotheabusefrom
another,wecanchoosewhoownsandkeepsthebadfeelings."
BasedonZenstories
ClaresnotesIusethisasanexampleofthedifferencebetweenreactingand
respondinginmycommunicationandresilienceworkshops.Youcanalways
substituteawiseelderfortheBuddhaifitsmoreculturallyacceptable.
19.
DifferencebetweenHeavenandHell
Culture,Innovation,LateralThinking,Teamwork,Values
Thereoncelivedanoldwomanwhohadaburningdesire.Shewishedmorethan
anythingtoseeforherselfthedifferencebetweenheavenandhell.Themonksinthe
templeagreedtograntherrequest.Theyputablindfoldaroundhereyes,andsaid,
"Firstyoushallseehell."
Whentheblindfoldwasremoved,theoldwomanwasstandingattheentrancetoa
greatdininghall.Thehallwasfullofroundtables,eachpiledhighwiththemost
deliciousfoodsmeats,vegetables,fruits,breads,anddessertsofallkinds!The
smellsthatreachedhernoseweretantalising.
Theoldwomannoticedthat,inhell,therewerepeopleseatedaroundthoseround
tables.Shesawthattheirbodieswerethin,andtheirfacesweregaunt,andcreased
withfrustration.Eachpersonheldaspoon.Thespoonsmusthavebeenthreefeet
long!Theyweresolongthatthepeopleinhellcouldreachthefoodonthose
platters,buttheycouldnotgetthefoodbacktotheirmouths.Astheoldwoman
watched,sheheardtheirhungrydesperatecries."I'veseenenough,"shecried.
"Pleaseletmeseeheaven."
Andsoagaintheblindfoldwasputaroundhereyes,andtheoldwomanheard,"Now
youshallseeheaven."Whentheblindfoldwasremoved,theoldwomanwas
confused.
29
Forthereshestoodagain,attheentrancetoagreatdininghall,filledwithround
tablespiledhighwiththesamelavishfeast.Andagain,shesawthattherewere
peoplesittingjustoutofarm'sreachofthefoodwiththosethreefootlongspoons.
Butastheoldwomanlookedcloser,shenoticedthatthepeopleinheavenwere
plumpandhadrosy,happyfaces.Asshewatched,ajoyoussoundoflaughterfilled
theair.
Andsoontheoldwomanwaslaughingtoo,fornowsheunderstoodthedifference
betweenheavenandhellforherself.Thepeopleinheavenwereusingthoselong
spoonstofeedeachother.
AdaptedfromaJapaneseandChinesefolktale.Ack.CathyJohnsonCampbellof
InspiredPersonalDevelopment
ClaresnotesIonceworkedforanextremelyselfishorganisationandwishIdhad
knownaboutthisstorytobeabletostartthediscussionsaroundtrueteamworkand
values.Ilovethelateralthinkingelementofthistaleandthespoonsareahelpful
analogytostartconversationsaroundtoolsthatareavailableforbothgoodand
detriment.
20.
DifferentDrummers
Acceptance,EmbracingDiversity,PersonalityType
IfyoudonotwantwhatIwant,pleasetrynottotellmethatmywantiswrong.Or
ifmybeliefsaredifferentfromyours,atleastpausebeforeyousetouttocorrect
them.
Orifmyemotionseemslessormoreintentthanyours,giventhesame
circumstances,trynottoaskmetofeelotherthanIdo.OryetifIact,orfailtoact,
inthemannerofyourdesignforaction,pleaseletmebe.
Idonot,forthemomentatleast,askyoutounderstandme.Thatwillcomeonly
whenyouarewillingtogiveuptryingtochangemeintoacopyofyou.
Ifyouwillallowmeanyofmyownwants,oremotions,orbeliefs,oractions,then
youopenyourselftothepossibilitythatsomedaythesewaysofminemightnot
seemsowrong,andmightfinallyappearasrightforme.Toputupwithmeisthe
firststeptounderstandingme.
Notthatyouembracemywaysasrightforyou,butthatyouarenolongerirritated
ordisappointedwithmeformyseemingwaywardness.Andonedayperhaps,in
tryingtounderstandme,youmightcometoprizemydifferences,and,farfrom
seekingtochangememightpreserveandevencherishthosedifferences.
Imaybeyourspouse,yourparent,youroffspring,yourfriend,yourcolleague.But
whateverourrelation,thisIknow:YouandIarefundamentallydifferentandbothof
ushavetomarchtoourowndrummer.
ByDavidKeirseyfromhisbookPleaseUnderstandMeII
ClaresnotesIoftenrecitethispoemorincludeitintheworkbooksofmy
personalityprofilingworkshopsasitspeaksvolumesaboutembracingandaccepting
difference.Iknowmanyaparticipantwhohasgonehomeandgentlyhandeditto
theirspouse.
30
21.
DonkeyintheWell
ObstaclesasOpportunities,Optimism,Resilience
Onedayafarmer'sdonkeyfelldownintoawell.Theanimal
criedpiteouslyforhoursasthefarmertriedtofigureout
whattodo.Finallyhedecidedtheanimalwasold,thatthe
wellneededtobecoveredanywayandthatitjustwasn't
worthretrievingthedonkey.Soheinvitedallhisneighbours
tocomeoverandhelphim.
Theyallgrabbedashovelandbegantoshoveldirtintothewell.Atfirst,thedonkey
realizedwhatwashappeningandcriedhorribly.Then,toeveryone'samazement,he
quieteneddown.
Afewshovelloadslater,thefarmerfinallylookeddownthewellandwasastonished
atwhathesaw.Witheveryshovelofdirtthathithisback,thedonkeywasdoing
somethingamazing.Hewouldshakeitoffandtakeastepup.Asthefarmer's
neighbourscontinuedtoshoveldirtontopoftheanimal,hewouldshakeitoffand
takeastepup.Prettysoon,everyonewasamazedasthedonkeysteppedupover
theedgeofthewellandtrottedoff!
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesthisisoneofmyfavouritestoriesandonewhichIusealotinA
SprinklingofMagic.Ithasmanyvariations(elephantinAfrica,horseinChina)and
iseasilyacceptedbyadultsasyoungpeople.
22.
DontQuitPoem
Persistence,Resilience
Whenthingsgowrongastheysometimeswill,
Whentheroadyou'retrudgingseemsalluphill
Whenthefundsarelowandthedebtsarehigh,
Andyouwanttosmile,butyouhavetosigh,
Whencareispressingyoudownabit
Restifyoumust,butdonotquit.
Lifeisstrangewithitstwistsandturns,
Aseveryoneofussometimeslearns,
Andmanyafellowturnsabout
Whenhemighthavewonhadhestuckitout.
Don'tgiveupthoughthepaceseemsslow
youmaysucceedwithanotherblow.
Oftenthegoalisnearerthan
Itseemstoafairandfalteringman,
Oftenthestrugglerhasgivenup
Whenhemighthavecapturedthevictor'scup,
Andhelearnedtoolatewhennightcamedown,
Howclosehewastothegoldencrown.
Successisfailureturnedinsideout
Thesilvertintofthecloudsofdoubt,
Andyounevercantellhowcloseyouare,
Itmaybenearwhenitseemsafar,
31
Sosticktothefightwhenyou'rehardesthit,
It'swhenthingsseemworstthatyoumustnotquit.
SourceAnthonyFernandowww.dontquitpoem.comOriginalauthordisputed
ClaresnotesAnthonyhascreatedavideotoaccompanythispoemwhichIhave
playedatmyemotionalresilienceworkshopsandhehasalsocreatedpostersfrom
thepoems.HehaswrittenaninspiringbookcalledTheOraclesSecretwhichishas
beenwritteninaparableformandisexcellent.
23.
DragonKillers
DifferentPerspectives,LateralThinking,Leadership,Wisdom
ManyyearsagointhehillsofPatagoniatherewasavillagewhoseinhabitantswere
starving.Theylivedinfearofadragonthattheyhadseenintheirfieldsandthey
wouldnotgotoharvesttheircrops.
Onedayatravellercametothevillageandaskedforfood.Theyexplainedthatthere
wasnonebecausetheywereafraidofthedragon.Thetravellerwasbraveand
offeredtoslaythedragon.Whenhearrivedatthefieldshecouldntseeadragon,
onlyalargewatermelon.Sohereturnedtothevillageandsaid,Youhavenothing
tofearthereisnodragon,onlyalargewatermelon.Thevillagerswereangryathis
refusaltounderstandtheirfearandkilledthetraveller.
Someweekslateranothertravellercametothevillage.Again,whenheaskedfor
foodhewastoldaboutthedragon.Hetoowasbraveandofferedtokillthedragon.
Thevillagerswererelievedanddelighted.Whenhearrivedatthefieldshealsosaw
thegiantwatermelonandreturnedtothevillagetotellthevillagersthattheywere
mistakenaboutthedragontheyneedhavenofearofagiantwatermelon.They
killedhimtoo.
Moretimepassedandthevillagerswerebecomingdesperate.Onedayathird
travellerappearedandhecouldseehowdesperatetheywereandaskedwhatthe
problemwas.Theytoldhimandhepromisedhewouldslaythedragonsothatthey
couldgotothefieldstoharvesttheircrops.
Whenhegottothefieldhetoosawthegiantwatermelon.Hereflectedfora
moment,drewhissword,leaptintothefieldandhackedthewatermelontopieces.
Hereturnedtothevillageandtoldthemhehadslaintheirdragon.Theywere
overjoyed.Thetravellerstayedinthevillageformanymonths,longenoughtoteach
thevillagersthedifferencebetweendragonsandwatermelons.
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesIfirstheardthisstorybeingtoldbyRexUrwinofMindMatters,an
AustralianNLPcoachingcompany.Ilovehowitunfoldsandreallyillustratesthe
valuesofwalkinginanothersshoestryingtoseetheworldfromtheirperspective
andachievingwin:winoutcomesasaresult.Thisalsoremindsmeofasceneinthe
filmPatchAdamswherePatchhelpshisroommateovercomehisfearofsquirrelsby
movingintohisworldtofightthem.
32
24.
Eagle&theChicken
Choice,Leadership,LivingyourTruth,TakingRisks
Afarmerwasexcitedwhenaneaglenestedhispropertyandthendevastatedwhen
hefoundtheeaglehadbeenshot.Heclimbedthetreetolookatthenestandsawit
containedasingleegg.Hecarrieditcarefullydownthetree,tookitbacktohisbarn,
andslippeditunderabroodinghen.
Theeagleteventuallyhatchedalongwiththeothereggsthatwerelainunderthe
hen.Itwasraisedwiththechickensandthoughtitselftobenothingbutanunusual
chicken.Itspentitstimescratchingthegroundforseeds,searchingforworms,and
cluckingsenselessly.
Onedayadark,ominousshadowfellacrossthebarnyard.Interrortheeaglefledfor
shelterwithitscompanions.Lookingup,theeaglesawtheoutstretchedwingsofa
hugebirdeffortlesslycarryingitselfingracefulcirclesasitglidedoncurrentsof
warmair.Entrancedbythemajestyofsuchahugeandpowerfulbird,itturnedto
thechickenbesideitandasked,"What'sthat?""That,"saidhiscompanion"isthe
kingofbirds.Itsrealmisthesky.Itcontrolstheair.Itiscalledaneagle.Weare
chickens.Webelongontheground."
Theeaglelookedupatthebirdandsawtheirsimilaritieswithhimself.Itlookedat
thechickensand,forthefirsttime,sawhowdifferenthewasfromthem.Theeagle
nowhadachoice.Itcouldliveanddieasachickeninthebackyardcooporitcould
spreaditswingsandsoarintotheairwiththemajesty,skill,andpowerofthebird
above.
AttributedtoDrEldonTaylor(thoughanIndianparableexistsbasedonalionliving
withsheep).DrTaylorelaboratesontheabovestoryinayoutubevideoentitled
thechickenandtheeaglestorywellworthwatching.
Claresnotesbecausethisissuchawellknownstory,Iwilloftencheckinwithmy
audiencetoseewhoisfamiliarwithitthengiveaprcisbeforeaskingtowhat
extentwearemakingliketheeaglechickeninourlives.Thisisalsoeffectiveina
onetoonecoachingscenario.
25.
ExperiencingtheRealProblem
Attitude,Culture,Innovation,LateralThinking
Inthe90sBritishRailexperiencedaseveredownturninbusiness.Lookingfor
marketinganswers,theywentsearchingforanewadagencyonethatcould
deliveranadcampaignthatwouldbringtheircustomersback.
WhentheBritishRailexecutiveswenttotheofficesofaprominentLondonad
agencytodiscusstheirneeds,theyweremetbyaveryrudereceptionist,who
insistedthattheywait.
Finally,anunkemptpersonledthemtoaconferenceroomadirty,scruffyroom
clutteredwithplatesofstalefood.Theexecutiveswereagain,lefttowait.Afew
agencypeopledriftedinandoutoftheroom,basicallyignoringtheexecutiveswho
grewimpatientbytheminute.Whentheexecstriedtoaskwhatwasgoingon,the
agencypeoplebrushedthemoffandwentabouttheirwork.
33
Eventually,theexecshadenough.Astheyangrilystartedtogetup,completely
disgustedwiththewaytheydbeentreated,oneoftheagencypeoplefinallyshowed
up.
Gentlemen,hesaid,yourtreatmenthereatourAgencyisnottypicalofhowwe
treatourclientsinfact,wevegoneoutofourwaytostagethismeetingforyou.
WevebehavedthiswaytopointouttoyouwhatitsliketobeacustomerofBritish
Rail.YourrealproblematBritishRailisntyouradvertising,itsyourpeople.We
suggestyouletusaddressyouremployeeattitudeproblembeforeweattemptto
changeyouradvertising.
TheBritishRailexecutiveswereshockedbuttheagencygottheaccount!The
agencyhadtheremarkableconvictiontopointouttheproblembecauseitknew
exactlywhatneededtochange.
ClaresnotesIhaventbeenabletoconfirmifthisisatruestoryoranurbanmyth
butyoucouldconsiderreplacingBritishRailwithasimilarlyperformingorganisation
thatfitsyourmessage.Thisisagreatexampleoffindingthecoreofaproblemand
dealingwiththecause(inthiscaseculture)ratherthanthesymptoms.
26.
FeedingTime
Acceptance,DifferentPerspectives
Therewasonceamanfromthecitywhowasvisitingasmallfarmandduringthis
visithesawafarmerfeedingpigsinamostunusualway.Thefarmerwouldliftapig
uptoanearbyappletree,andthepigwouldeattheapplesoffthetreedirectly.The
farmerwouldmovethepigfromoneappletoanotheruntilthepigwassatisfied,
thenhewouldstartagainwithanotherpig.
Thecitymanwatchedthisactivityforsometimewithgreatastonishment.Finally,he
couldnotresistsayingtothefarmer,"Thisisthemostinefficientmethodoffeeding
pigsthatIcanimagine.Justthinkofthetimethatwouldbesavedifyousimply
shooktheapplesoffthetreeandletthepigseatthemfromtheground!"Thefarmer
lookedpuzzledandreplied,"What'stimetoapig?"
Authorunknown
Claresnotesthoughprimarilyajoke,thislittledittyspeaksloudlyoftheneedto
understandthatweallhavedifferentperspectivesandoutcomesinlifeanditmight
bodeuswelltoquestionfirstthencommentlater.
27.
Feelings
Acceptance,LivingyourTruth
Oncetherewasaverysmallpersonwhohadfeelings.Theyhadmanyfeelingsand
feltthemeveryday.Theirfamilylikedthemwhentheyshowedtheirfeelings,sothe
verysmallpersonstartedtoweartheirfeelingsontheirsleeve.Onedayoneofthe
smallperson'sparentssaidthattheydidn'tliketoseetheFEARfeelinganymore,so
thesmallpersontriedtopullitoff.
TheparentsaidthattheywouldgivethesmallpersonsomeTOUGHtocoverover
theirFEAR.ThesmallpersonfounditverydifficulttocovertheFEARwiththe
TOUGH,sotheotherparentandthegrandparentsallhelped.Ittookmanydays.
"Nowyoulookwonderful,"saidtheparentswhenitwasdone."We'vecoveredsome
ofyourfeelingswithTOUGH,andyou'llgrowintoastrongperson."
34
Thesmallpersongrewalittleolderandfoundafriend.Thefriendalsoworetheir
feelingsontheirsleeve.Thefriendsaidoneday,"Myparentswantmetocoverup
myLONELYfeelings,andtobedifferentfromnowon."Andtheywere.Thesmall
persondecidedtocoverovertheirLONELYfeelingstoo,andtheygotANGRYfrom
anotheradult.ThesmallpersonputbigpatchesofANGRYontopoftheirLONELY.It
washardworktocoverovertheLONELYfeelings.
Onedaywhenthesmallperson(whowasnownotsosmall)wenttoschoolsomeof
theirLONELYfeelingsstartedtoshow.Sotheteacherkeptthembehindandgave
themsomeGUILTtocovertheirLONELYfeelings.Sometimeswhenaloneatnight
thepersonwouldlookattheirfeelings.TheywouldpullofftheTOUGHandANGRY
andGUILTtolookattheirLONELYandFEAR.Thentheywouldhavetotakealong
timeputtingtheTOUGH,ANGRYandGUILTbackagain.
OnenightthepersonnoticedthattheirLONELYandFEARweregrowing,and
beginningtostickoutfromunderthepatches.Sothepersonhadtogoouttofind
somemoreANGRYtocovertheLONELY,andgotalltheTOUGHthattheirparents
couldsparetocovertheirFEAR.
Thepersongrewolderandbecameverypopularbecauseeveryonesaidthatthey
couldhidetheirfeelingswell.Theperson'sparentssaidonedaythattheyhada
PROUDfeelingbecausethepersonhadbeensoTOUGH.Butthepersoncouldnot
findanywheretoputthePROUDfeelingbecausetheTOUGHwasgettingsobig.The
personhadtroublefindingroomontheirsleeveforanyotherfeelingstheTOUGH
andtheANGRYwereallthatshowed.
Thenafteratimethepersonmetanotherpersonandtheybecamefriends.They
thoughtthattheywerealotalikebecausetheybothhadonlyTOUGHandANGRY
feelingsthatshowed.Onedaythefriendtoldthepersonasecret:"I'mnotreallylike
youmyTOUGHandANGRYareonlypatchestocoverovermyLONELYandmy
FEAR."ThefriendpulledbacktheedgeoftheirTOUGHandshowedthepersontheir
FEARjustforasecond.
Thepersonsatquietlyanddidnotspeak.Thencarefullytheytoopulledbackthe
edgeoftheirTOUGHandshowedtheirFEAR.ThefriendsawtheLONELY
underneath.Thenthefriendgentlyreachedoutandtouchedtheperson'sFEAR,and
thentheLONELY.......Thefriend'stouchwaslikemagic.AfeelingofACCEPTANCE
appearedontheperson'ssleeve,andtheTOUGHandANGRYhadbecomesmaller.
ThepersonthenknewthatwheneversomeonegavethemACCEPTANCE,theywould
needlessTOUGH,andthentherewouldbemoreroomtoshowPROUD.....SAD
.......LOVING....STRONG....GOOD....WARM...HURT...FEAR....
Ack.ChrisDavidsonoftheQuestInstituteUKauthorunknown
ClaresnotesthisisanextremelypowerfultherapeuticmetaphorandIwould
suggest(foranyonewiththeprofessionalcapacitytosharethisstory)thatoneway
todosowouldbetoreaditoutthenhandittothelistenertokeep.
28.
FiveMonkeys
ChallengingtheStatusQuo,Choice,Culture
Startwithacagecontainingfivemonkeys.
Insidethecage,hangabananaonastringandplaceasetofstairsunderit.
Beforelong,amonkeywillgotothestairsandstarttoclimbtowardsthebanana.
35
Assoonashetouchesthestairs,sprayallofthemonkeyswithcoldwater.
Afterawhile,anothermonkeymakesanattemptwiththesameresultallthe
monkeysaresprayedwithcoldwater.
Prettysoon,whenanothermonkeytriestoclimbthestairs,theothermonkeyswill
trytopreventit.
Now,turnoffthecoldwater.
Removeonemonkeyfromthecageandreplaceitwithanewone.
Thenewmonkeyseesthebananaandwantstoclimbthestairs.
Tohissurpriseandhorror,alloftheothermonkeysattackhim.
Afteranotherattemptandattack,heknowsthatifhetriestoclimbthestairs,hewill
beassaulted.
Next,removeanotheroftheoriginalfivemonkeysandreplaceitwithanewone.
Thenewcomergoestothestairsandisattacked.
Thepreviousnewcomertakespartinthepunishmentwithenthusiasm.
Again,replaceathirdoriginalmonkeywithanewone.
Thenewonemakesittothestairsandisattackedaswell.
Twoofthefourmonkeysthatbeathimhavenoideawhytheywerenotpermittedto
climbthestairs,orwhytheyareparticipatinginthebeatingofthenewestmonkey.
Afterreplacingthefourthandfifthoriginalmonkeys,allthemonkeysthathavebeen
sprayedwithcoldwaterhavebeenreplaced.
Nevertheless,nomonkeyeveragainapproachesthestairs.
Whynot?
Becauseasfarastheyknowthat'sthewayit'salwaysbeenaroundhere.
Authorunknown,ack.JamieMoodie
ClaresnotesThisisprobablymoreurbanmyththanavalidexperiment(the
sourceisyettobefound),neverthelessithighlightsthemeaningclearlyandina
memorablemanner.
29.
FlatTyre
Integrity,Values
Theresastoryof4collegestudentsthatstayedouttoolatethenightbeforea
midtermexamandmissedtheirearlymorningclass.Theyoungmen,realizing
theydmissedthetest,knewtheyhadtocomeupwithsomethingfastforwhythey
werelate.
Sotheyrushedintoseetheprofessorandtoldhimthattheyhadsufferedaflattyre
ontheirwaytotheclassandpleadedfortheopportunitytotaketheexamthenext
day.Totheirastonishment,theprofessorgleefullyagreed. Sure,hesaid. Meet
meheretomorrowand,understandingofyourunfortunatecircumstances,Illallow
youtotaketheexamtomorrow.
Offtheywent,kickingtheirheelsthattheployhadworked.Thenextmorningwhen
theyarrived,theprofessoraskedthemtoeachgotoadifferentroomandthenhe
wouldprovidethemwiththetest.
Thetesthadonlyonequestion.Whichtyrewasflat?
Authorunknown
36
30.
FlippingoutonEggs
Awareness,DifferentPerspectives,Trust
Awifewasmakingabreakfastoffriedeggsforher
husband.Suddenly,herhusbandburstintothe
kitchen.
"Careful,"hesaid,"CAREFUL!Putinsomemorebutter!OhmyGOD!You'recooking
toomanyatonce.TOOMANY!Turnthem!TURNTHEMNOW!Weneedmorebutter.
OhmyGOD!WHEREarewegoingtogetMOREBUTTER?They'regoingtoSTICK!
Careful.CAREFUL!IsaidbeCAREFUL!YouNEVERlistentomewhenyou'recooking!
Never!Turnthem!Hurryup!AreyouCRAZY?HaveyouLOSTyourmind?Don't
forgettosaltthem.Youknowyoualwaysforgettosaltthem.Usethesalt.USETHE
SALT!THESALT!"
Thewifestaredathim."Whatintheworldiswrongwithyou?Haveyougone
completelystarkravingbonkers?YouthinkIdon'tknowhowtofryacoupleof
eggs?"
Thehusbandcalmlyreplied,"IjustwantedtoshowyouwhatitfeelslikewhenI'm
driving."
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesthisisagreatlittleicebreakerstorythatIsometimesuseto
introducetheconceptofdevelopingselfawarenessandtrust.Ihaveatruestory
closelyrelatedtothisandafterIreadthisIleftmypartnertoworkhismagicinthe
kitchenandwithoutinterferencefromme!
31.
FredandMabel
ConsequencesofAssumptions
FredandMabelwerebothpatientsinamentalhospital.Onedayastheyboth
walkedbesidetheswimmingpool,Mabeljumpedintothedeependandsanktothe
bottom.Withoutathoughtforhisownsafety,Fredjumpedinafterher,broughther
tothesurface,hauledherout,gaveherthekissoflifeandsavedher.
ThenextdayhappenedtobeFred'sannualreview.Hewasbroughtbeforethe
hospitalboard,wherethedirectortoldhim,"Fred,Ihavesomegoodnewsandsome
badnews:thegoodnewsisthatinlightofyourheroicactyesterday,weconsider
thatyouaresaneandcanbereleasedfromthishomebackintosociety.Thebad
newsisI'mafraidthatMabel,thepatientyousaved,shortlyafterwardshungherself
inthebathroomwiththebeltfromherbathrobe.I'msorrybutshe'sdead"
"Shedidn'thangherself,"Fredreplied,"Iputhertheretodry."
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesoneactthewholeplaydothnotmakeJHowoftendoweactonone
pieceofevidenceonlytofindthatourperspectivewasalittleskewwhiff!
37
32.
FroginaMilkPail
Choice,Persistence,Resilience
Afrogwashoppingaroundafarmyard,whenitdecidedtoinvestigatethebarn.
Beingsomewhatcareless,andmaybealittletoocurious,heendedupfallingintoa
pailhalffilledwithfreshmilk.
Asheswamaboutattemptingtoreachthetopofthepail,hefoundthatthesidesof
thepailweretoohighandsteeptoreach.Hetriedtostretchhisbacklegstopush
offthebottomofthepailbutfoundittoodeep.Butthisfrogwasdeterminednotto
giveup,andhecontinuedtostruggle.
Hekickedandsquirmedandkickedandsquirmed,untilatlast,allhischurningabout
inthemilkhadturnedthemilkintoabighunkofbutter.Thebutterwasnowsolid
enoughforhimtoclimbontoandgetoutofthepail!
Authorunknown
33.
GandhiandSugar
Integrity,Leadership,Values
AwomanoncecametoGandhiandaskedhimtopleasetellhersontogiveup
eatingsugar.Gandhiaskedthewomantobringtheboybackinaweek.Exactlyone
weeklaterthewomanreturned,andGandhisaidtotheboy,"Pleasegiveupeating
sugar."ThewomanthankedtheMahatma,and,assheturnedtogo,askedhimwhy
hehadnotsaidthosewordsaweekago."
Gandhireplied,"Becauseaweekago,Ihadnotgivenupeatingsugar."
Claresnotesif,asleaders,wewalkedourtalktotheextentofGhandi,what
differencecoulditmake?Iamhumanandalifelongapprentice!
34.
GingernutsattheAirport
Attheairportafteratiringbusinesstripalady'sreturnflightwas
delayed.Shewenttotheairportshop,boughtabook,acoffee
andasmallpacketcontainingfivegingernutbiscuits.Theairport
wascrowdedandshefoundaseatinthelounge,nexttoa
stranger.
Afterafewminutesreadingshebecameabsorbedinherbook.
Shetookabiscuitfromthepacketandbegantodrinkhercoffee.Tohergreat
surprise,thestrangerinthenextseatcalmlytookoneofthebiscuitsandateit.
Stunned,shecouldn'tbringherselftosayanything,noreventolookatthestranger.
Nervouslyshecontinuedreading.Afterafewminutessheslowlypickedupandate
thethirdbiscuit.
Incredibly,thestrangertookthefourthgingernutandateit,thentothewoman's
amazementhepickedupthepacketandofferedherthelastbiscuit.Thisbeingtoo
muchtotolerate,theladyangrilypickedupherbelongings,gavethestrangeran
indignantscowlandmarchedofftotheboardinggate,whereherflightwasnow
ready.
38
Asshereachedinsideherbagtogetherboardingticket,guesswhatshefound?Her
asyetunopenedpacketofgingernuts!
Apparentlythestoryappearsinavarietyofurbanlegendsdatingfromatleast30
yearsago,andisalsodescribedinDouglasAdams'Hitchhiker'sGuidetotheGalaxy.
Claresnotesthisisbyfaroneofmyfavouritemetaphorsforhighlightingthe
dangersofmakingassumptionsandbeingquicktojudge.IuseitinASprinklingof
MagicintheUseofPropssection.Iwillusuallypersonalisethisstoryusinga
colleagueasthemaincharacteriftheyvehearditbeforetheyalwaysforgiveme.
35.
(The)Greatasif
Courage,Leadership,Wisdom
Thisisthestoryofayoungprincewhowasdestinedtobethekingofhiscountry.
Now,thisyoungprincehadsomeconcernsaboutbeingking,forhewasworried
abouthisabilitytobealeader.Oneday,hegotoutofbedwaddlingandquacking
likeaduckandrefusedtoeatanythingbutduckfood.Thekingwasgreatlyupsetso
hecalledinthewisestmaninthekingdom.Whentoldofthesituation,thewiseman
said,"Givemethreedayswiththeprinceandhewillbecured."
Thewisemanwenttothedooroftheprince'sroom,knocked,andwasinvitedin.He
waddledintotheroomquackinglikeaduck.Theprinceandthewisemansoon
becamegoodfriends.
Thatnightthewisemanslippedoutoftheprince'sroomandtoldthekingtohave
clothesplacedonthechairsforthenextmorning.Whenmorningcame,thewise
mangotoutofbed,waddledacrosstheroomquackinglikeaduck,andputonhis
clothes.Theprincesaidtohim,"Youcan'tbeaduck...duckscan'twearclothes."The
wisemanreplied,"Whereisitwrittenthataduckcan'twearclothes?"Theprince
said,"Well,Iguessyouareright."Andhe,too,putonhisclothes.
Thatnight,thewisemanagainslippedoutoftheprince'sroomandtoldthekingto
putduckfoodonaplateandputtheplateonthetable.Thenextmorning,thewise
mangotoutofbed,waddledacrosstheroomquackinglikeaduck,putonhis
clothes,satdownatthetableandbegantoeatfromtheplate.Theprincesaid,"You
can'tbeaduck...ducksdon'teatfromaplate."Thewisemanreplied,"Whereisit
writtenthataduckcan'teatfromaplate?"Theyoungprincesaid,"Iguessyouare
right."Andhebegantoeatfromtheplate.
Thatnight,thewisemantoldthekingtoputhumanfoodontheplate,andplacea
forkbytheplate.Thenextmorning,thewisemangotoutofbedwaddledacrossthe
roomquackinglikeaduck,putonhisclothes,satdownatthetable,pickedupthe
forkandbegantoeat.Theyoungprincesaid,"Youcan'tbeaduck...ducksdon'tuse
forks."Thewisemanresponded,"Whereisitwrittenthataduckcan'tuseafork?"
Theprincesaid,"Iguessyouareright."Andhe,too,pickedupaforkandbeganto
eat.
Laterthatday,thewisemansaidtotheprince,"Imustreturntomyownbarnyard
today,butIwouldliketoleaveyouwiththisadvice:Rememberthatournational
holidayiscomingupnextweekandasyouknowournation'sfavoritefoodforthe
holidayisduck.Ifyoudon'twanttoendupassomeone'smaincourseforthe
holidaymeal,continuetoactasifyouwereaprince."Theprincedidsuchagoodjob
ofactingasifhewereaprincethatheeventuallybecamethegreatestkinghis
countryeverhad.
39
ReprintedwithpermissionofChaplainPaulDurbinwww.durbinhypnosis.com
Claresnotesgreatleadersfindawaytohelppeoplethroughtheirfearsandbe
whotheyweremeanttobeeveniftherouteisalittleunusual!Ifyoureaudience
doesntlikeshaggydogstoriesthoughchooseashorterone!
36.
TheHistoryofGunpowder
Innovation
ChineseTaoistalchemistswerethemajorforcebehindtheearlyinventionof
gunpowder.EmperorWuDi(15687B.C.)oftheHandynastyfinancedresearch
donebythealchemistsonthesecretsofeternallife.Thealchemistsexperimented
withthesulphurandsaltpeterheatingthesubstancesinordertotransformthem.
ThealchemistWeiBoyangwrotetheBookoftheKinshipoftheThreedetailingthe
experimentsmadebythealchemists.
Duringthe8thcenturyTangdynasty,sulphurandsaltpeterwerefirstcombinedwith
charcoaltocreateanexplosivecalledhuoyaoorgunpowder.Asubstancethatdid
notencourageeternallife,however,gunpowderwasusedtotreatskindiseasesand
asafumiganttokillinsectsbeforeitsadvantageasaweaponwasmadeclear.
TheChinesebeganexperimentingwiththegunpowderfilledtubes.Atsomepoint,
theyattachedbambootubestoarrowsandlaunchedthemwithbows.Soonthey
discoveredthatthesegunpowdertubescouldlaunchthemselvesjustbythepower
producedfromtheescapinggas.Thetruerocketwasborn.
Sourcewiki.answers.com
Claresnotestherearemanystoriesaroundthattalkofhowcertainproductsor
substanceswereinventedandtheiraccidentalbenefits.Usingstorieslikethistoset
thesceneforproductinnovationbrainstormingcanbehelpfulandprovoke
discussion.
37.
HowtoPoisonYourMotherinLaw
Attitude,DifferentPerspectives,Forgiveness,Personalitytype
AlongtimeagoinChina,agirlnamedLiLigotmarriedandwenttolivewithher
husbandandmotherinlaw.Inaveryshorttime,LiLifoundthatshecouldntget
alongwithhermotherinlawatall.
Theirpersonalitieswereverydifferent,andLiLiwasangeredbymanyofher
motherinlawshabits.Inaddition,shecriticisedLiLiconstantly.
Dayspasseddays,andweekspassedweeks.LiLiandhermotherinlawnever
stoppedarguingandfighting.Butwhatmadethesituationevenworsewasthat,
accordingtoancientChinesetradition,LiLihadtobowtohermotherinlawand
obeyhereverywish.
AlltheangerandunhappinessinthehousewascausingLiLispoorhusbandgreat
distress.
Finally,LiLicouldnotstandhermotherinlawsbadtemperanddictatorshipany
longer,andshedecidedtodosomethingaboutit.LiLiwenttoseeherfathersgood
friend,MrHuang,whosoldherbs.Shetoldhimthesituationandaskedifhewould
givehersomepoisonsothatshecouldsolvetheproblemonceandforall.
40
MrHuangthoughtforawhile,andfinallysaid,LiLi,Iwillhelpyousolveyour
problem,butyoumustlistentomeandobeywhatItellyou.LiLisaid,Yes,Mr.
Huang,Iwilldowhateveryoutellmetodo.
MrHuangwentintothebackroom,andreturnedinafewminuteswithapackageof
herbs.
HetoldLiLi,Youcantuseaquickactingpoisontogetridofyourmotherinlaw,
becausethatwouldcausepeopletobecomesuspicious.Therefore,Ihavegivenyou
anumberofherbsthatwillslowlybuilduppoisoninherbody.
Everyotherdaypreparesomedeliciousmealandputalittleoftheseherbsinher
serving.Now,inordertomakesurethatnobodysuspectsyouwhenshedies,you
mustbeverycarefultoactveryfriendlytowardsher.Dontarguewithher,obeyher
everywish,andtreatherlikeaqueen.
LiLiwassohappy.ShethankedMr.Huangandhurriedhometostartherplotof
murderinghermotherinlaw.
Weekswentby,andmonthswentby,andeveryotherday,LiLiservedthespecially
treatedfoodtohermotherinlaw.SherememberedwhatMr.Huanghadsaidabout
avoidingsuspicion,soshecontrolledhertemper,obeyedhermotherinlaw,and
treatedherlikeherownmother.Aftersixmonthshadpassed,thewholehousehold
hadchanged.
LiLihadpracticedcontrollinghertempersomuchthatshefoundthatshealmost
nevergotmadorupset.Shehadnthadanargumentwithhermotherinlawinsix
monthsbecauseshenowseemedmuchkinderandeasiertogetalongwith.
ThemotherinlawsattitudetowardLiLichanged,andshebegantoloveLiLilike
herowndaughter.ShekepttellingfriendsandrelativesthatLiLiwasthebest
daughterinlawonecouldeverfind.LiLiandhermotherinlawwerenowtreating
eachotherlikearealmotheranddaughter.
LiLishusbandwasveryhappytoseewhatwashappening.
Oneday,LiLicametoseeMr.Huangandaskedforhishelpagain.Shesaid,Dear
Mr.Huang,pleasehelpmetokeepthepoisonfromkillingmymotherinlaw!Shes
changedintosuchanicewoman,andIloveherlikemyownmother.Idonotwant
hertodiebecauseofthepoisonIgaveher.
Mr.Huangsmiledandnoddedhishead.LiLi,theresnothingtoworryabout.I
nevergaveyouanypoison.TheherbsIgaveyouwerevitaminstoimproveher
health.Theonlypoisonwasinyourmindandyourattitudetowardher,butthathas
beenallwashedawaybythelovewhichyougavetoher.
Authorunknownack.JanetCarew
Claresnotespeoplestarttosmilethreequartersawaythroughthisstoryasthey
knowhowtheendingwillunfoldyetyoucanseethemnoddingandstruggling
internallywiththeneedtoacceptdifferenceortolerateit,yetthedifficultyofhow.
38.
(The)HundredthMonkey
AdaptingtoChange,Culture,Vision
TheJapanesemonkey,Macacafuscata,hadbeenobservedinthewildforaperiodof
over30years.In1952,ontheislandofKoshima,scientistswereprovidingmonkeys
withsweetpotatoesdroppedinthesand.Themonkeyslikedthetasteoftheraw
sweetpotatoes,buttheyfoundthedirtunpleasant.
41
An18montholdfemalenamedImofoundshecouldsolvetheproblembywashing
thepotatoesinanearbystream.Shetaughtthistricktohermother.Herplaymates
alsolearnedthisnewwayandtheytaughttheirmotherstoo.
Thisculturalinnovationwasgraduallypickedupbyvariousmonkeysbeforetheeyes
ofthescientists.Between1952and1958alltheyoungmonkeyslearnedtowashthe
sandysweetpotatoestomakethemmorepalatable.Onlytheadultswhoimitated
theirchildrenlearnedthissocialimprovement.Otheradultskepteatingthedirty
sweetpotatoes.
Thensomethingstartlingtookplace.Intheautumnof1958,acertainnumberof
Koshimamonkeyswerewashingsweetpotatoestheexactnumberisnotknown.
Letussupposethatwhenthesunroseonemorningtherewere99monkeyson
KoshimaIslandwhohadlearnedtowashtheirsweetpotatoes.Let'sfurthersuppose
thatlaterthatmorning,thehundredthmonkeylearnedtowashpotatoes.
THENITHAPPENED!
Bythateveningalmosteveryoneinthetribewaswashingsweetpotatoesbefore
eatingthem.Theaddedenergyofthishundredthmonkeysomehowcreatedan
ideologicalbreakthrough!
Butnotice.Amostsurprisingthingobservedbythesescientistswasthatthehabitof
washingsweetpotatoesthenjumpedoverthesea.Coloniesofmonkeysonother
islandsandthemainlandtroopofmonkeysatTakasakiyamabeganwashingtheir
sweetpotatoes.
Thus,whenacertaincriticalnumberachievesanawareness,thisnewawareness
maybecommunicatedfrommindtomind.Althoughtheexactnumbermayvary,
thisHundredthMonkeyPhenomenonmeansthatwhenonlyalimitednumberof
peopleknowofanewway,itmayremaintheconsciouspropertyofthesepeople.
Butthereisapointatwhichifonlyonemorepersontunesintoanewawareness,a
fieldisstrengthenedsothatthisawarenessispickedupbyalmosteveryone!
Ack.LawrenceBlairandLyallWatson
Claresnotestheresalotofdisputearoundtheauthenticityofthisstorybutifwe
lookbeyondthatitisastrongmetaphorfortherippleeffectandtippingpointsin
epidemics.Ihaveusedthisstorybeforewhenworkingwithteamsinthecontextof
changeandmaintainingapositivemindsetinthedarkesthours.
39.
IHaveaDream
Inspiration,Leadership,LivingyourTruth,Vision
Iamhappytojoinwithyoutodayinwhatwillgodowninhistoryasthegreatest
demonstrationforfreedominthehistoryofournation.
Fivescoreyearsago,agreatAmerican,inwhosesymbolicshadowwestandtoday,
signedtheEmancipationProclamation.Thismomentousdecreecameasagreat
beaconlightofhopetomillionsofNegroslaveswhohadbeensearedintheflames
ofwitheringinjustice.Itcameasajoyousdaybreaktoendthelongnightoftheir
captivity.
Butonehundredyearslater,theNegrostillisnotfree.Onehundredyearslater,the
lifeoftheNegroisstillsadlycrippledbythemanaclesofsegregationandthechains
ofdiscrimination.
42
Onehundredyearslater,theNegrolivesonalonelyislandofpovertyinthemidstof
avastoceanofmaterialprosperity.Onehundredyearslater,theNegroisstill
languishedinthecornersofAmericansocietyandfindshimselfanexileinhisown
land.Andsowe'vecomeheretodaytodramatizeashamefulcondition.
Inasensewe'vecometoournation'scapitaltocashacheck.Whenthearchitectsof
ourrepublicwrotethemagnificentwordsoftheConstitutionandtheDeclarationof
Independence,theyweresigningapromissorynotetowhicheveryAmericanwasto
fallheir.Thisnotewasapromisethatallmen,yes,blackmenaswellaswhitemen,
wouldbeguaranteedthe"unalienableRights"of"Life,Libertyandthepursuitof
Happiness."ItisobvioustodaythatAmericahasdefaultedonthispromissorynote,
insofarashercitizensofcolorareconcerned.Insteadofhonoringthissacred
obligation,AmericahasgiventheNegropeopleabadcheck,acheckwhichhas
comebackmarked"insufficientfunds."
Butwerefusetobelievethatthebankofjusticeisbankrupt.Werefusetobelieve
thatthereareinsufficientfundsinthegreatvaultsofopportunityofthisnation.And
so,we'vecometocashthischeck,acheckthatwillgiveusupondemandtheriches
offreedomandthesecurityofjustice.
WehavealsocometothishallowedspottoremindAmericaofthefierceurgencyof
Now.Thisisnotimetoengageintheluxuryofcoolingoffortotakethetranquilizing
drugofgradualism.Nowisthetimetomakerealthepromisesofdemocracy.Nowis
thetimetorisefromthedarkanddesolatevalleyofsegregationtothesunlitpathof
racialjustice.Nowisthetimetoliftournationfromthequicksandsofracialinjustice
tothesolidrockofbrotherhood.Nowisthetimetomakejusticearealityforallof
God'schildren.
Itwouldbefatalforthenationtooverlooktheurgencyofthemoment.This
swelteringsummeroftheNegro'slegitimatediscontentwillnotpassuntilthereisan
invigoratingautumnoffreedomandequality.Nineteensixtythreeisnotanend,but
abeginning.AndthosewhohopethattheNegroneededtoblowoffsteamandwill
nowbecontentwillhavearudeawakeningifthenationreturnstobusinessas
usual.AndtherewillbeneitherrestnortranquilityinAmericauntiltheNegrois
grantedhiscitizenshiprights.Thewhirlwindsofrevoltwillcontinuetoshakethe
foundationsofournationuntilthebrightdayofjusticeemerges.
ButthereissomethingthatImustsaytomypeople,whostandonthewarm
thresholdwhichleadsintothepalaceofjustice:Intheprocessofgainingourrightful
place,wemustnotbeguiltyofwrongfuldeeds.Letusnotseektosatisfyourthirst
forfreedombydrinkingfromthecupofbitternessandhatred.Wemustforever
conductourstruggleonthehighplaneofdignityanddiscipline.Wemustnotallow
ourcreativeprotesttodegenerateintophysicalviolence.Againandagain,wemust
risetothemajesticheightsofmeetingphysicalforcewithsoulforce.
ThemarvelousnewmilitancywhichhasengulfedtheNegrocommunitymustnot
leadustoadistrustofallwhitepeople,formanyofourwhitebrothers,asevidenced
bytheirpresenceheretoday,havecometorealizethattheirdestinyistiedupwith
ourdestiny.Andtheyhavecometorealizethattheirfreedomisinextricablybound
toourfreedom.
Wecannotwalkalone.Andaswewalk,wemustmakethepledgethatweshall
alwaysmarchahead.Wecannotturnback.
Therearethosewhoareaskingthedevoteesofcivilrights,"Whenwillyoube
satisfied?"WecanneverbesatisfiedaslongastheNegroisthevictimofthe
unspeakablehorrorsofpolicebrutality.Wecanneverbesatisfiedaslongasour
bodies,heavywiththefatigueoftravel,cannotgainlodginginthemotelsofthe
43
highwaysandthehotelsofthecities.WecannotbesatisfiedaslongastheNegros
basicmobilityisfromasmallerghettotoalargerone.Wecanneverbesatisfiedas
longasourchildrenarestrippedoftheirselfhoodandrobbedoftheirdignityby
signsstating:ForWhitesOnly.
WecannotbesatisfiedaslongasaNegroinMississippicannotvoteandaNegroin
NewYorkbelieveshehasnothingforwhichtovote.No,no,wearenotsatisfied,and
wewillnotbesatisfieduntil"justicerollsdownlikewaters,andrighteousnesslikea
mightystream."
Iamnotunmindfulthatsomeofyouhavecomehereoutofgreattrialsand
tribulations.Someofyouhavecomefreshfromnarrowjailcells.Andsomeofyou
havecomefromareaswhereyourquestquestforfreedomleftyoubatteredby
thestormsofpersecutionandstaggeredbythewindsofpolicebrutality.Youhave
beentheveteransofcreativesuffering.Continuetoworkwiththefaiththat
unearnedsufferingisredemptive.GobacktoMississippi,gobacktoAlabama,go
backtoSouthCarolina,gobacktoGeorgia,gobacktoLouisiana,gobacktothe
slumsandghettosofournortherncities,knowingthatsomehowthissituationcan
andwillbechanged.
Letusnotwallowinthevalleyofdespair,Isaytoyoutoday,myfriends.
Andsoeventhoughwefacethedifficultiesoftodayandtomorrow,Istillhavea
dream.ItisadreamdeeplyrootedintheAmericandream.
Ihaveadreamthatonedaythisnationwillriseupandliveoutthetruemeaningof
itscreed:"Weholdthesetruthstobeselfevident,thatallmenarecreatedequal."
IhaveadreamthatonedayontheredhillsofGeorgia,thesonsofformerslaves
andthesonsofformerslaveownerswillbeabletositdowntogetheratthetableof
brotherhood.
IhaveadreamthatonedayeventhestateofMississippi,astateswelteringwiththe
heatofinjustice,swelteringwiththeheatofoppression,willbetransformedintoan
oasisoffreedomandjustice.
Ihaveadreamthatmyfourlittlechildrenwillonedayliveinanationwherethey
willnotbejudgedbythecoloroftheirskinbutbythecontentoftheircharacter.
Ihaveadreamtoday!
Ihaveadreamthatoneday,downinAlabama,withitsviciousracists,withits
Governorhavinghislipsdrippingwiththewordsofinterpositionandnullification.
OnedayrightthereinAlabamalittleblackboysandblackgirlswillbeabletojoin
handswithlittlewhiteboysandwhitegirlsassistersandbrothers.
Ihaveadreamtoday!
Ihaveadreamthatonedayeveryvalleyshallbeexalted,andeveryhilland
mountainshallbemadelow,theroughplaceswillbemadeplain,andthecrooked
placeswillbemadestraight"andthegloryoftheLordshallberevealedandall
fleshshallseeittogether."2
Thisisourhope,andthisisthefaiththatIgobacktotheSouthwith.
Withthisfaith,wewillbeabletohewoutofthemountainofdespairastoneof
hope.Withthisfaith,wewillbeabletotransformthejanglingdiscordsofournation
44
intoabeautifulsymphonyofbrotherhood.Withthisfaith,wewillbeabletowork
together,topraytogether,tostruggletogether,togotojailtogether,tostandup
forfreedomtogether,knowingthatwewillbefreeoneday.
AndthiswillbethedaythiswillbethedaywhenallofGod'schildrenwillbeable
tosingwithnewmeaning:
Mycountry'tisofthee,sweetlandofliberty,oftheeIsing.
Landwheremyfathersdied,landofthePilgrim'spride,
Fromeverymountainside,letfreedomring!
AndifAmericaistobeagreatnation,thismustbecometrue.
AndsoletfreedomringfromtheprodigioushilltopsofNewHampshire.
LetfreedomringfromthemightymountainsofNewYork.
LetfreedomringfromtheheighteningAllegheniesofPennsylvania.
LetfreedomringfromthesnowcappedRockiesofColorado.
LetfreedomringfromthecurvaceousslopesofCalifornia.
Butnotonlythat:
LetfreedomringfromStoneMountainofGeorgia.
LetfreedomringfromLookoutMountainofTennessee.
LetfreedomringfromeveryhillandmolehillofMississippi.
Fromeverymountainside,letfreedomring.
Andwhenthishappens,whenweallowfreedomring,whenweletitringfromevery
villageandeveryhamlet,fromeverystateandeverycity,wewillbeabletospeed
upthatdaywhenallofGod'schildren,blackmenandwhitemen,JewsandGentiles,
ProtestantsandCatholics,willbeabletojoinhandsandsinginthewordsoftheold
Negrospiritual:
Freeatlast!Freeatlast!ThankGodAlmighty,wearefreeatlast!
DrMartinLutherKingJrAugust28th 1963
40.
IF
Integrity,Leadership,Resilience,Values
Ifyoucankeepyourheadwhenallaboutyou
arelosingtheirsandblamingitonyou
Ifyoucantrustyourselfwhenallmendoubtyou
butmakeallowancefortheirdoubtingtoo
Ifyoucanwaitandnotbetiredbywaiting
Orbeingliedabout,don'tdealinlies
Orbeinghated,don'tgivewaytohating
Andyetdon'tlooktoogood,nortalktoowise
Ifyoucandream andnotmakedreamsyourmaster
Ifyoucanthinkandnotmakethoughtsyouraim
Ifyoucanmeetwithtriumphanddisaster
Andtreatthesetwoimpostorsjustthesame
Ifyoucanbeartohearthetruthyou'vespoken
Twistedbyknavestomakeatrapforfools
orwatchthethingsyougaveyourlifeto,broken
andstoopandbuild'emupwithwornouttools
45
Ifyoucanmakeoneheapofallyourwinnings
andriskitononeturnofpitchandtoss
andlose,andstartagainatyourbeginnings
andneverbreatheawordaboutyourloss
Ifyoucanforceyourheartandnerveandsinew
Toserveyourturnlongaftertheyaregone
Andsoholdonwhenthereisnothinginyou
ExcepttheWillwhichsaystothem:'Holdon!'
Ifyoucantalkwithcrowdsandkeepyourvirtue
OrwalkwithKingsnorlosethecommontouch
Ifneitherfoesnorlovingfriendscanhurtyou
Ifallmencountwithyou,butnonetoomuch
Ifyoucanfilltheunforgivingminute
Withsixtyseconds'worthofdistancerun
YoursistheEarthandeverythingthat'sinit
Andwhichismoreyou'llbeaMan,myson!
ByRudyardKipling
SpokenatmyfathersfuneralbymybrotherGeoff
41.
InauguralAddressspeechbyNelsonMandela
Forgiveness,Leadership,Wisdom
YourMajesties,YourHighnesses,DistinguishedGuests,Comradesandfriends:
Today,allofusdo,byourpresencehere,andbyourcelebrationsinotherpartsof
ourcountryandtheworld,confergloryandhopetonewbornliberty.
Outoftheexperienceofanextraordinaryhumandisasterthatlastedtoolong,must
bebornasocietyofwhichallhumanitywillbeproud.
OurdailydeedsasordinarySouthAfricansmustproduceanactualSouthAfrican
realitythatwillreinforcehumanity'sbeliefinjustice,strengthenitsconfidenceinthe
nobilityofthehumansoulandsustainallourhopesforagloriouslifeforall.
Allthisweowebothtoourselvesandtothepeoplesoftheworldwhoaresowell
representedheretoday.
Tomycompatriots,Ihavenohesitationinsayingthateachoneofusisas
intimatelyattachedtothesoilofthisbeautifulcountryasarethefamousjacaranda
treesofPretoriaandthemimosatreesofthebushveld.
Eachtimeoneofustouchesthesoilofthisland,wefeelasenseofpersonal
renewal.Thenationalmoodchangesastheseasonschange.
Wearemovedbyasenseofjoyandexhilarationwhenthegrassturnsgreenand
theflowersbloom.
Thatspiritualandphysicalonenessweallsharewiththiscommonhomeland
explainsthedepthofthepainweallcarriedinourheartsaswesawourcountrytear
itselfapartinaterribleconflict,andaswesawitspurned,outlawedandisolatedby
thepeoplesoftheworld,preciselybecauseithasbecometheuniversalbaseofthe
perniciousideologyandpracticeofracismandracialoppression.
46
We,thepeopleofSouthAfrica,feelfulfilledthathumanityhastakenusbackintoits
bosom,thatwe,whowereoutlawsnotsolongago,havetodaybeengiventherare
privilegetobehosttothenationsoftheworldonourownsoil.Wethankallour
distinguishedinternationalguestsforhavingcometotakepossessionwiththe
peopleofourcountryofwhatis,afterall,acommonvictoryforjustice,forpeace,
forhumandignity.
Wetrustthatyouwillcontinuetostandbyusaswetacklethechallengesofbuilding
peace,prosperity,nonsexism,nonracialismanddemocracy.Wedeeplyappreciate
therolethatthemassesofourpeopleandtheirpoliticalmassdemocratic,religious,
women,youth,business,traditionalandotherleadershaveplayedtobringabout
thisconclusion.NotleastamongthemismySecondDeputyPresident,the
HonourableF.W.deKlerk.
Wewouldalsoliketopaytributetooursecurityforces,inalltheirranks,forthe
distinguishedroletheyhaveplayedinsecuringourfirstdemocraticelectionsandthe
transitiontodemocracy,frombloodthirstyforceswhichstillrefusetoseethelight.
Thetimeforthehealingofthewoundshascome.
Themomenttobridgethechasmsthatdivideushascome.
Thetimetobuildisuponus.
Wehave,atlast,achievedourpoliticalemancipation.Wepledgeourselvesto
liberateallourpeoplefromthecontinuingbondageofpoverty,deprivation,
suffering,genderandotherdiscrimination.
Wesucceededtotakeourlaststepstofreedominconditionsofrelativepeace.We
commitourselvestotheconstructionofacomplete,justandlastingpeace.
Wehavetriumphedintheefforttoimplanthopeinthebreastsofthemillionsofour
people.WeenterintoacovenantthatweshallbuildthesocietyinwhichallSouth
Africans,bothblackandwhite,willbeabletowalktall,withoutanyfearintheir
hearts,assuredoftheirinalienablerighttohumandignityarainbownationatpeace
withitselfandtheworld.
Asatokenofitscommitmenttotherenewalofourcountry,thenewInterim
GovernmentofNationalUnitywill,asamatterofurgency,addresstheissueof
amnestyforvariouscategoriesofourpeoplewhoarecurrentlyservingtermsof
imprisonment.
Wededicatethisdaytoalltheheroesandheroinesinthiscountryandtherestof
theworldwhosacrificedinmanywaysandsurrenderedtheirlivessothatwecould
befree.Theirdreamshavebecomereality.Freedomistheirreward.
Wearebothhumbledandelevatedbythehonourandprivilegethatyou,thepeople
ofSouthAfrica,havebestowedonus,asthefirstPresidentofaunited,democratic,
nonracialandnonsexistSouthAfrica,toleadourcountryoutofthevalleyof
darkness.
Weunderstanditstillthatthereisnoeasyroadtofreedom.
Weknowitwellthatnoneofusactingalonecanachievesuccess.
Wemustthereforeacttogetherasaunitedpeople,fornationalreconciliation,for
nationbuilding,forthebirthofanewworld.
Lettherebejusticeforall.
Lettherebepeaceforall.
Lettherebework,bread,waterandsaltforall.
Leteachknowthatforeachthebody,themindandthesoulhavebeenfreedtofulfil
themselves.
47
Never,neverandneveragainshallitbethatthisbeautifullandwillagainexperience
theoppressionofonebyanotherandsuffertheindignityofbeingtheskunkofthe
world.
Letfreedomreign.Thesunshallneversetonsogloriousahumanachievement!
GodblessAfrica!
NelsonMandelaMay10th1994
42.
Invictus
Accountability,Choice,Courage
Outofthenightthatcoversme,
BlackasthePitfrompoletopole,
Ithankwhatevergodsmaybe
Formyunconquerablesoul.
Inthefellclutchofcircumstance
Ihavenotwincednorcriedaloud.
Underthebludgeoningsofchance
myheadisbloody,butunbowed.
Beyondthisplaceofwrathandtears
LoomsbuttheHorroroftheshade,
Andyetthemenaceoftheyears
Findsandshallfindmeunafraid.
Itmattersnothowstraitthegate,
Howchargedwithpunishmentsthescroll
Iamthemasterofmyfate
Iamthecaptainofmysoul.
ByWilliamErnestHenley
43.
Itcouldntbedone
Attitude,Optimism,Persistence,Resilience
Somebodysaidthatitcouldn'tbedone,
But,hewithachucklereplied
That"maybeitcouldn't"buthewouldbeone
Whowouldn'tsaysotillhe'dtried.
Sohebuckledrightinwiththetraceofagrin
onhisface.Ifheworriedhehidit.
Hestartedtosingashetackledthething
thatcouldn'tbedone,ashedidit.
Somebodyscoffed:"Oh,you'llneverdothat
Atleastnooneweknowhasdoneit"
Buthetookoffhiscoatandhetookoffhishat
andthefirstthingweknewhe'dbegunit.
48
Withaliftofhischinandabitofagrin
Withoutanydoubtingorquiddit
Hestartedtosingashetackledthething
Thatcouldn'tbedone,andhedidit
Therearethousandstotellyouitcannotbedone
Therearethousandstoprophesyfailure
Therearethousandstopointouttoyou,onebyone
Thedangersthatwaittoassailyou
Butjustbucklerightinwithabitofagrin
Justtakeoffyourcoatandgotoit
Juststarttosingasyoutacklethething
thatcannotbedone,andyou'lldoit!
ByEdgarGuest
Claresnotesthispoemhasafunrhythmandishighlymotivatingforpossibility
thinking.Itsalsogreatforpoppingonnoticeboardsorsendingtostaffjustforthe
sakeofit.Quidditveryroughlytranslatedmeansquibble.
44.
JudgeGently
Acceptance,DifferentPerspectives,Integrity
Praydon'tfindfaultwiththemanwholimps
orstumblesalongtheroad,
unlessyouhaveworntheshoeshewears
orstruggledbeneathhisload.
Theremaybetacksinhisshoesthathurt,
thoughhiddenawayfromview,
ortheburdenhebears,placedonyourback
mightcauseyoutostumbletoo.
Don'tsneeratthemanwho'sdowntoday
unlessyouhavefelttheblow
thatcausedhisfallorfelttheshame
thatonlythefallenknow.
Youmaybestrong,butstilltheblows
thatwerehisifdealttoyou,
intheselfsameway,attheselfsametime,
mightcauseyoutostaggertoo.
Don'tbetooharshwiththemanwhosins
orpelthimwithwordorstone,
unlessyouaresure,yea,doublysure,
thatyouhavenosinsofyourown
foryouknowperhapsifthetempter'svoice
shouldwhisperassoftlytoyou
asitdidtohimwhenhewentastray,
itmightcauseyoutostumbletoo.
Ihavebeenunabletolocatetheauthorofthispoem
ClaresnotesIlovethispoem,itssimplemessageisonethat,ifpursuedbyevery
individual,wouldmakeourhomesandbusinessesmorepleasurableplacestobe.
49
45.
KnowingwheretoTap
LateralThinking,Wisdom
Aboilermakerwhowashiredtofixahugesteamshipboilersystemthatwasnot
workingwell.Afterlisteningtotheengineersdescriptionoftheproblemsandasking
afewquestions,hewenttotheboilerroom.
Helookedatthemazeoftwistingpipes,listenedtothethumpoftheboilerandthe
hissofescapingsteamforafewminutes,andfeltsomepipeswithhishands.Then
hehummedsoftlytohimself,reachedintohisoverallsandtookoutasmallhammer,
andtappedabrightredvalve,once.
Immediatelytheentiresystembeganworkingperfectly,andtheboilermakerwent
home.
Whenthesteamshipownerreceivedabillfor$1,000hecomplainedthatthe
boilermakerhadonlybeenintheengineroomforfifteenminutes,andrequestedan
itemisedbill.
Thisiswhattheboilermakersenthim:
Fortappingwithhammer:$1.00
Forknowingwheretotap:$999.00
Total:
$1000.00
Authorunknown
Claresnoteshowmanyofusreadingthiscouldbenefitfromtheselfassurance
andwisdomoftheboilermaker!
46.
LawoftheGarbageTruck
Attitude,Resilience,Wisdom
OnedayIhoppedinataxiandwetookofffortheairport.Weweredrivingalongwhen
suddenlyablackcarjumpedoutofaparkingspacerightinfrontofus.
Mytaxidriverslammedonhisbrakes,skidded,andmissedtheothercarbyjust
inches!Thedriveroftheothercarwhippedhisheadaroundandstartedyellingatus.
Mytaxidriverjustsmiledandwavedattheguy.AndImeanhewasreallyfriendly.
SoIasked,'Whydidyoujustdothat?Thisguyalmostruinedyourcarandsentusto
thehospital!'ThisiswhenmytaxidrivertaughtmewhatInowcall,'TheLawofthe
GarbageTruck.'
Heexplainedthatmanypeoplearelikegarbagetrucks.Theyrunaroundfullof
garbage,fulloffrustration,fullofanger,andfullofdisappointment. Astheirgarbage
pilesup,theyneedaplacetodumpitandsometimesthey'lldumpitonyou.Don't
takeitpersonally.Justsmile,wave,wishthemwell,andmoveon.Don'ttaketheir
garbageandspreadittootherpeopleatwork,athome,oronthestreets.
Thebottomlineisthatsuccessfulpeopledonotletgarbagetruckstakeovertheirday.
Life'stooshorttowakeupinthemorningwithregrets,resentments,anger,and
frustrationso..
Authorunknown
50
ClaresnotesIwassentthisstoryonanemailanduseitsometimeswhentalking
aboutthedifferencebetweenreactingandrespondingandtheconsequencesofeach.I
believethatametaphorlikethiscouldsoonbecomepartofaworkplaceorfamily
culturewitheachofbeingremindedaboutourgarbagewhenweletotherpeoples
stuffgettous.
47.
LessonsonTeamworkfromGeese
Teamwork,Values
Fact1:Aseachgooseflapsitswings,itcreatesanupliftforthe
birdsthatfollow.ByflyinginaVformation,thewholeflock
adds71%greaterflyingrangethanifeachbirdflewalone.
Lesson:Peoplewhoshareacommondirectionandsenseof
communitycangetwheretheyaregoingquickerandeasier
becausetheyaretravelingonthethrustofoneanother.
Fact2:Whenagoosefallsoutofformation,itsuddenlyfeelsthe
dragandresistanceofflyingalone.Itquicklymovesbackintoformationtotake
advantageoftheliftingpowerofthebirdimmediatelyinfrontofit.
Lesson:Ifwehaveasmuchsenseasagoosewestayinformationwiththose
headedwherewewanttogo.Wearewillingtoaccepttheirhelpandgiveourhelpto
others.
Fact3:Whentheleadgoosetires,itrotatesbackintotheformationandanother
goosefliestothepointposition.
Lesson:Itpaystotaketurnsdoingthehardtasksandsharingleadership.Aswith
geese,peopleareinterdependentoneachothersskills,capabilitiesandunique
arrangementsofgifts,talents,andresources.
Fact4:Thegeeseflyinginformationhonktoencouragethoseupfronttokeep
going!
Lesson:Weneedtomakesureourhonkingisencouraging.Ingroupswherethere
isencouragement,theproductionismuchgreater.Thepowerofencouragement,
whichistolistentoonesownheartorcorevalues,andtolistentothecorevalues
ofothers,isthequalityofhonkingweseek.
Fact5:Whenagoosegetssick,woundedorshotdown,twogeesedropoutof
formationandfollowitdowntohelpprotectit.Theystaywithituntilitdiesoris
abletoflyagain.Then,theylaunchoutwithanotherformationofgeeseandtryto
catchupwiththeflock.
Lesson:Ifwehaveasmuchsenseasgeese,wewillstandbyeachotherindifficult
timesaswellaswhenwearestrong.
Sourceunknown
ClaresnoteseventhoughthisisawellknownanalogyIstilluseitasanexercise
andaskteamstoprovideevidenceofhowgoosytheirteamisandwhattheycan
dogetmorehonkingintheteam.
51
48.
LighteningtheLoad
AdaptingtoChange,Courage,TakingRisks,Teamwork,Trust
Part1
Nottoolongago,inalandfaraway,therewasatravellerwhowasembarkingona
newjourneytothetopofthemountain.Heddonethetripbeforebutinvery
differentcircumstances,soheknewthejourneywouldntbeaneasyone.Hewas
familiarwithmanyofthechallengesthatlayaheadandsohehadpackedforall
eventualities.Ashestartedout,excitedyetwithsometrepidation,hewaspleased
withhowhenavigatedthefirstcrossingofthestreamsandhesitatedalittleatthe
firstravinebutmanagedit,despitehisheavyload.
Justbeforehisfirstreststophemetamancomingtheotherway.Thisoldchapwas
dressedalittleoddlyandnotexactlyequippedforthejourneybutseemedhappy
andcopingwellwiththeterrain.Heaskedifhecouldjointhetravellerandthey
struckupaconversation,hewaswelcomeofthecompany.
My,thatsaheavyloadyourecarryingtheoldmansaideyeingthebackpackon
thefloor.
Notreallysaidthetraveller.Youhavetobepreparedforalleventualities,
especiallywhenyoudontknowwhatsaheadofyou.
Sotellmethen,whatsinthebackpack?
Wellsaidthetravelleralittlehesitantly,Ivegottheusualsupplies,food,clothes,
medicalsuppliesandsomeotherstuff
Stuff?Enquiredtheoldman.Howisyourstuffhelpingyouonyourjourney?
Wellitsnothelpingmeimmediatelyrepliedthetraveller,butifImeetwithsome
adversityitllcertainlystandmeingoodstead.
AhIsee,saidtheoldman,andjustwhatsortofadversityareyouexpectingon
thisjourney?
HaventyouheardoftheYeti?saidthetraveller,somepeoplecallitBigfootorthe
Yowieitsarealmonsterandabout10feettall
Reallysaidtheoldman,andhowmanypeoplehaveseenthisYeti?
Well,nonethatIknowofyet
andwhenwasthelastreportedsighting?
ermabout1954
Goodlucksaidtheoldmanscratchinghishead,andcarriedonhisway
Part2
Sothetravellerheavedhisbackpackontohisbackandcarriedonhiswayintothe
secondstageofhisjourney.Ashewaswalkingherecountedtheconversationwith
theoldmanandnowsomethingjustwasntsittingcomfortablywithhim.
52
Whydidnthewanttheoldmantoknowwhatwasinhisbackpack?Whenhe
packedthemhewassoproudofhimselfthattheywouldservehimwellandprotect
him,nowhewasfeelinguneasyandevenalittlesillyatthethoughtoftheweightof
hisloadandhowitwasslowinghimdownfromreachingthesummit,hisultimate
goal.
ButwhatifIdumpedtheloadandthencamefacetofacewiththeYeti?Idfeel
evensillierthenIdreallyberegrettingmyactionsandwishingIdheldontothem.
Andashewalkedandstumbledacrosstheroughterrainhisthoughtskeptgoing
backtohisload.Hedactuallygrownquitefondofhisstuffanditreallyfeltlikea
partofhim.Thenhedcasthismindbacktotheknowingglanceoftheoldman
beforetheypartedwaysandfeltconfusedagain,andagain,feltalittlebitsilly.
Wellthatshisproblemthetravellersaidtohimselfanddecidedtocarryon,despite
theshootingpainsinhisback.
Anhourorsopassedandasheturnedthecorner,gettingreadyforhislastrest
breakbeforeheadingforthesummit,heturnedthecornerandcaughthisfirst
glimpseofthesummitanditwasbreathtaking.Hecouldseesoclearlywhatlay
aheadofhimandinthatinstantforgotallabouttheyetioranyothereventuality
thathemightencounter.Nowthathehadsuchaclearvisionofthesummithecould
feeltheenergyandstrengthfillinghislimbsandlovedthefeelingofexcitementthat
wassurgingthroughhim.Onelastquickreststopthentheresnothingstopping
me.
Justashesatdownandtookoutanenergybarfromhispocket,hewasbrought
backdowntoearthwithabumpashespottedtheoldmancomingtowardshim
fromthesummit.Howcanthisbepossiblehethoughttohimself,hewas
descendingthemountainlasttimewemet?
So,youngtraveller,whatdoyouthinkofthejourneyaheadnowthatyouhave
seenyourgoal?
Iamsoexcitedsaidthetraveller,nothingbutnothingwillstopmefromreaching
this,IfeellikeIhavetwicetheenergyfromwhenIstartedthejourney
Impressivesaidtheoldman,andwhataboutthechallengesthatlieahead,how
willyoucopewiththose?
SamewayasIwasalwaysgoingtocopewasthereply
Ahsoyoustillhaveyourstuffthensmiledtheoldmaneyingthestillbulging
backpackonthefloor.
Wellofcourse.JustbecauseIcanseethesummitdoesntmeanthatIwonthave
challengessoIstillneedtobeprepared.Thisstuffprotectsme
Fromthe10footYetiyoumean?
Well,erm,yestheresthatandalltheothereventualities
ThenIwishyoumuchlucksaidtheoldmanfortheascentistoughand
dangerous,andyoumightfindthatyourstuffwillnothelpyouinthewayyouhave
intendeditto.Godspeedandwiththattheoldmanturnedthecornerandwas
gone.Asthetravellerheavedhisbackpackonforthelasttime,heturnedhiseyesto
thesnowcoveredfloorandwastotallyperplexedtheoldmanhadleftno
footprints.
53
Part3
Andsothefinalascentwascloseapproaching.Thetravellerwasinastrangemood,
energisedandexcitedaboutreachinghisgoalsaheadbutthatstupidoldmanhad
startedtoputdoubtsinhisheadabouthisprotectiveloadandhisquipaboutitnot
helpinghiminthewayheintended.Stupidoldfoolhethought,cantevendress
rightformountainclimbing.
Theroadindeedwasbecomingincreasinglydifficulttotraverseandtheinclines
becomingeversteeperwitheverytwistandturn.Youvecomethisfaronyourown
hethoughtnotmuchfarther,youcandoit.
Asheturnedacornertomakehisfinalascentascenegreetedhimthathewasnot
expecting.Therewere5peoplecrowdedaroundayoungmanonaridgewhowas
obviouslyinjured.Theotherclimbershadtakenofftheirouterjacketsandwere
keepinghimwarmandweredeepindiscussionthatatfirsttheydidntseethe
travellerapproach.
Oneofthemenlookedaround.ThankGod!heshouted,youvebeensenttosave
us!
Well,notexactlyrepliedthetraveller,Imjustonthesamejourneyasyou.
Whatshappened?
Jimherehashadanaccidentandwethinkhemayhavebrokenhisankle.Heis
desperatetoreachthesummitandwebelievetheresawaywecandoitbutwe
neededonemorepersonandyoucamearoundthecorner!
Sohowonearthareyougoingtogethimtothetop?askedthetraveller.
WEaregoingtopoolallourstrength,skillsandresourcesandtogetherweregoing
tostretcherJimup
MiraclesIcandosmiledthetraveller,buttheimpossibletakesalittlelonger!
Nono,thisreallyisachievableandfairlystraightforwardsaidthemanwho
appearedtohavebeenvotedteamleader.Weeachemptyourbackpacksandtie
themtogethermakingastretcherandwecanstretcherJimtothetop.Areyou
preparedtohelpus?
WhatamIgoingtodo?thoughtthetraveller.Thismeansdumpingmystufffor
goodbecausetheangleissosteep,Illloseeverything.Illbeleftvulnerableand
unprotected.ThiswasnthowIenvisagedthefinalsteptobe.
Wellwhatareyouwaitingfor?askedtheteamleader.Wellstarttoloselightin
thenexthoursoweneedtobequick.Doyoutrustustodothis,moreimportantly
doyoutrustyourself?
Inthatinstantsomethingshiftedandtravellermadeadecision.Heopenedhis
backpackandhisstuffcametumblingout.Rocksone,two,three,four,five,six,
andonandon.Theymusthavecountedatleast20alltumblingdownthemountain.
Notatorch,noraknife,norafirstaidkitinsight,justrocks,rocks,rocks.
AhyoumustbeintrainingfortheSAS,nooneintheirrightmindwouldchooseto
carrythatload!saidtheteamleader,thisisfantastic,thankyou!
Inforapenny,inforapoundwhisperedthetravellertohimselfashetookaleap
towardstheteamandintrueSASstylesaidcomeon,letscompleteourmission
54
AuthorClareEdwards
ClaresnotesIusethisstoryonteamdevelopmentprogramsandsplititinto3
throughouttheday.Idoactuallyreadit(asopposedtorememberingit)andIplace
itinsideanoldbook,exaggeratingeachtimeIpickupthebook,sitdownandpause.
Itsafairlyobviousmetaphoryetonewhichprovidesaplatformfordialoguewith
dysfunctionalteams.
49.
(The)LionsWhisker
DifferentPerspectives,Values,Wisdom
InaremotevillageinEthiopialivedayounghusbandandwife.Onceveryhappy,
theirmarriagewasnowintrouble.Thehusbandbegantocomehomelatefrom
workinginthefieldsandpaylessattentiontohiswife.Hiswife,thoughstillinlove
wasbecomingdespondentandprayedforthingstoreturntohowtheyoncewere.
Shedecidedtovisitthevillagemedicinemanandtellhertaleofwoe."Iwantmy
husbandtobelovingandattentiveagainandIwanttobeaslovingasIwasinthe
beginning.Wearebothunhappyandthinkingofendingourmarriage."
Themedicinemanlistenedthenofferedthewomanhopeintheformofamagic
potionthatwouldtransformherhusbandonceagainintoalovingman.
"Pleasepreparethepotionimmediately!"theyoungwomanexclaimed.Themedicine
manexplainedthatthemostimportantingredientwasmissingandshewouldhave
tofetchitforhim."Iwillfetchitstraightaway.Tellmewhatitisandhowtofindit"
"Ineedasinglewhiskertakenfromalivingliontomakethepotionwork."
Butthisisimpossible,wailedthewifeHowshallIeverachievethis?
YouwillfindawayandwiththattheMedicinemanbidhergoodday.
Thenextmorning,theyoungwifecarriedahugepieceofrawmeatdowntothe
riverwherelionssometimescametodrink.Shehidbehindatreeandwaited.After
waitingmanyhours,alionambleddowntotherivertohaveadrink.Hesniffedat
therawmeat.Inthreebites,themeatwasgone.Heraisedhismightyhead.He
knewshewasthere.Theyoungwifeheldherbreath.Themightylionmovedslowly
backintotheforestanddisappeared.
Thenextday,theyoungwomancameback.Thistime,thelionappearedquite
quickly.Thiscontinuedformanydays.Daysbecameweeks.Eachday,thewoman
creptfromherhidingplacebehindthetree,movingcloserandclosertothelion.
Aftersixweeks,shemovedquietlynexttothelionandsatsilentlywhileheate.
Afterfinishinghismealherolledoverandfellintoadeeplionsleep.Thewoman
pulledasharpenedknifefromherrobe,crawledovertothelionandstealthilycut
thewhiskerclosetohisskin.Shesetfootenroutetothemedicineman.
NowIcanhavemymagicpotionandsavemymarriage!sheexclaimed.
"Youdonotneedmagictochangeyourhusbandbackintothelovingmanheonce
wassaidthewisemansoftly.Takeallthecourage,patience,trustandrespectthat
youlearnedfromthelionbackwithyoutoyourhusbandandwatchwhatunfolds.
55
Theyoungwifereturnedtohervillageanddidasshewasasked.Graduallyher
husbandbegantopayhermoreattentionandtheessenceofthemanshefellinlove
withunfoldedwiththedays.Withinayear,theirlifewashappyoncemore.
Authorunknown
ClaresNotestherearemanyversionsofthisEthiopianparableanddependingon
yourmessageyoucanreplacethecharactersinthestoryforchildren,siblings,
friendsorforabusinessperspective,evencolleagues.
50.
(The)LostKeys
Accountability,LivingyourTruth
It'sduskandamanisonhiskneessearchingunderastreetlightforthekeyshehas
dropped.Heisjoinedbyhisneighbourwhohelpshimsearchandasks"Where
exactlydidyoudropthem?""Oh,Idroppedtheminmybackgarden,"repliesthe
man,"butIamlookingforthemherebecausethelightissomuchbetter."
ClaresnotesIfirstheardthisstorylisteningtoanaudioCDofDrWayneDyerwho
askedustoconsiderwhy,whentheproblemliesinside,welooktotheoutsidefor
thesolution?
51.
TheManwhothinkshecan
Attitude,Persistence,Resilience
Ifyouthinkyourebeaten,youare
Ifyouthinkyoudarenot,youdont
Ifyoudliketowin,butthinkyoucant
Itsalmostcertainyouwont
Ifyouthinkyoulllose,youvelost
foroutintheworldwefind
Successbeginswithafellowswill
Itsallinastateofmind
Ifyouthinkyoureoutclassed,youare
Youvegottothinkhightorise
Youvegottobesureofyourself
Ifyouwanttoobtaintheprize
Lifesbattlesdontalwaysgo
tothestrongerorfasterman
Butsoonerorlaterthemanwhowins
ISTHEMANWHOTHINKSHECAN
ByWalterDWittle(sometimesattributedtoNapoleonHillasitappearsinhisbook
ThinkandGrowRich)
ClaresnotesyesitsatadoldfashionedaswereaditnowandIoftenrecitethe
lastlineasPERSONbutthemessageisclearandcanhelptogiveusakickupthe
proverbialwhenweneedit!
56
52.
(The)MeditationCat
ChallengingtheStatusQuo,Culture
Whenthespiritualteacherandhisdisciplesbegantheireveningmeditation,thecat,
wholivedinthemonastery,madesuchnoisethatitdistractedthem.Sotheteacher
orderedthatthecatbetiedupduringtheeveningpractice.Yearslater,whenthe
teacherdied,thecatcontinuedtobetiedupduringthemeditationsession.
Whenthecateventuallydied,anothercatwasbroughttothemonasteryandtied
up.Centurieslater,learneddescendantsofthespiritualteacherwrotescholarly
essaysaboutthereligioussignificanceoftyingupacatformeditationpractice.
Zenstory
53.
(The)Messiahindisguise
Acceptance,Culture,Teamwork,Values
Highinthemountainswasamonasterythathadoncebeenknownthroughoutthe
world.Itsmonkswerepious,itsstudentswereenthusiastic.Thechantsfromthe
monasteryschapeldeeplytouchedtheheartsofpeoplewhocametheretoprayand
meditate.
But,somethinghadchanged.Fewerandfeweryoungmencametostudythere
fewerandfewerpeoplecameforspiritualnourishment.Themonkswhoremained
becamedisheartenedandsad.
Deeplyworried,theAbbotofthemonasterywentoffinsearchofananswer.Why
hadhismonasteryfallenonsuchhardtimes?
TheAbbotcametoaguru,andheaskedthemaster,Isitbecauseofsomesinof
oursthatthemonasteryisnolongerfullofvitality?
Yes,repliedthemaster,itisthesinofignorance.
Thesinofignorance?questionedtheAbbot.Ofwhatareweignorant?
ThegurulookedattheAbbotforalong,longtime,andthenhesaid,Oneofyouis
themessiahindisguise.But,youareallignorantofthis.Then,theguruclosedhis
eyes,andhewassilent.
Themessiah?thoughttheAbbot.Themessiahisoneofus?Whocoulditbe?
CoulditbeBrotherCook?CoulditbeBrotherTreasurer?CoulditbeBrotherBell
Ringer?CoulditbeBrotherVegetableGrower?
Whichone?Whichone?Everyoneofushasfaults,failings,humandefects.Isnt
themessiahsupposedtobeperfect?But,then,perhapsthesefaultsandfailingsare
partofhisdisguise.Whichone?Whichone?
WhentheAbbotreturnedtothemonastery,hegatheredallthemonkstogetherand
toldthemwhattheguruhadsaid.
Oneofus?Themessiah?Impossible!
But,themasterhadspoken,andthemasterwasneverwrong.
57
Oneofus?Themessiah?Incredible!But,itmustbeso.Whichone?Whichone?
Thatbrotheroverthere?Thatone?Thatone?
WhicheveroneofthemonkswastheMessiah,hewas,surely,indisguise.
NotknowingwhoamongstthemwastheMessiah,allthemonksbegantreatingeach
otherwithnewrespect.Youneverknow,theythought,hemightbetheone,soI
hadbetterdealwithhimkindly.
Itwasnotlongbeforethemonasterywasfilledwithnewfoundjoy.Soon,new
studentscametolearn,andpeoplecamefromfarandwidetobeinspiredbythe
chantsofthekind,smilingmonks.
Foronceagain,themonasterywasfilledwiththespiritofloveandrespect.
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesthisisoneofmyfavouritesandoneIuseoftenwhenrunningteam
developmentprograms.Oftenthediscussionaroundthemetaphoristhatof
familiaritybreedscontemptandteammembersmakeaconsciousefforttore
respecttheirpeers.
54.
(The)MexicanFisherman
Choice,DifferentPerspectives
AninvestmentbankerwasatthepierofasmallcoastalMexicanvillagewhenasmall
boatwithjustonefishermandocked.Insidethesmallboatwereseverallargeyellow
fintuna.ThebankercomplimentedtheMexicanonthequalityofhisfishandasked
howlongittooktocatchthem.
TheMexicanreplied,"Onlyalittlewhile."
Thebankerthenaskedwhydidnthestayoutlongerandcatchmorefish.
TheMexicansaidhehadenoughtosupporthisfamilysimmediateneeds.
Thebankerthenasked,"butwhatdoyoudowiththerestofyourtime?"
TheMexicanfishermansaid,"Isleeplate,fishalittle,playwithmychildren,take
siestawithmywife,Maria,strollintothevillageeacheveningwhereIsipwineand
playguitarwithmyamigos,Ihaveafullandbusylife."
Thebankerscoffed,"IamaHarvardMBAandcouldhelpyou.Youshouldspend
moretimefishingandwiththeproceeds,buyabiggerboatwiththeproceedsfrom
thebiggerboatyoucouldbuyseveralboats,eventuallyyouwouldhaveafleetof
fishingboats.Insteadofsellingyourcatchtoamiddlemanyouwouldselldirectlyto
theprocessor,eventuallyopeningyourowncannery.Youwouldcontroltheproduct,
processinganddistribution.Youwouldneedtoleavethissmallcoastalfishingvillage
andmovetoMexicoCity,thenLAandeventuallyNYCwhereyouwillrunyour
expandingenterprise."
TheMexicanfishermanasked,"But,howlongwillthisalltake?"
Towhichthebankerreplied,"1520years."
"Butwhatthen?"
58
Thebankerlaughedandsaidthatwasthebestpart."Whenthetimeisrightyou
wouldannounceanIPOandsellyourcompanystocktothepublicandbecomevery
very,rich.Youwouldmakemillions!"
"Millions.Thenwhat?"
Thebankersaid,"Thenyouwouldretire.Movetoasmallcoastalfishingvillage
whereyouwouldsleeplate,fishalittle,playwithyourkids,takesiestawithyour
wife,strolltothevillageintheeveningswhereyoucouldsipwineandplayyour
guitarwithyouramigos."
Authorunknownack.JamieMoodie
ClaresnotesJamiewouldoftenopenhisworkshopswiththisstoryanditsetthe
sceneperfectlyforhisaudiencetoberespectfulthat,intheroom,eachparticipant
hadhisorherindividualdrivers,objectivesandoutcomes.
55.
(The)MouseTrap
Attitude,Teamwork
Amouselookedthroughthecrackinthewalltoseethefarmerandhiswifeopena
package.Whatfoodmightthiscontain?"Themousewonderedhewasdevastated
todiscoveritwasamousetrap.Retreatingtothefarmyard,themouseproclaimed
thewarning.Thereisamousetrapinthehouse!Thereisamousetrapinthehouse!"
Thechickencluckedandscratched,raisedherheadandsaid,"Mr.Mouse,Icantell
thisisagraveconcerntoyou,butitisofnoconsequencetome.Icannotbe
botheredbyit."
Themouseturnedtothepigandtoldhim,"Thereisamousetrapinthehouse!
Thereisamousetrapinthehouse!"Thepigsympathized,butsaid,"Iamsovery
sorry,Mr.Mouse,butthereisnothingIcandoaboutitbutpray.Beassuredyouare
inmyprayers."
Themouseturnedtothecowandsaid"Thereisamousetrapinthehouse!Thereis
amousetrapinthehouse!"Thecowsaid,"Wow,Mr.Mouse.I'msorryforyou,but
it'snoskinoffmynose."
So,themousereturnedtothehouse,headdownanddejected,tofacethefarmer's
mousetrapalone.
Thatverynightasoundwasheardthroughoutthehouselikethesoundofa
mousetrapcatchingitsprey.Thefarmer'swiferushedtoseewhatwascaught.In
thedarkness,shedidnotseeitwasavenomoussnakewhosetailthetraphad
caught.Thesnakebitthefarmer'swife.Thefarmerrushedhertothehospital,and
shereturnedhomewithafever.
Everyoneknowsyoutreatafeverwithfreshchickensoup,sothefarmertookhis
hatchettothefarmyardforthesoup'smainingredient.
Buthiswife'ssicknesscontinued,sofriendsandneighborscametositwithher
aroundtheclock.Tofeedthem,thefarmerbutcheredthepig.
Thefarmer'swifedidnotgetwellshedied.Somanypeoplecameforherfuneral
thefarmerhadthecowslaughteredtoprovideenoughmeatforallofthem.
59
Themouselookeduponitallfromhiscrackinthewallwithgreatsadness.
Authorunknown
Claresnotesanotherforwardedemail,Ilikethesimplicityofthismetaphorand
wouldaskwhenworkingwithteams(orafamily)wouldcontinuethemetaphorin
termofhowdoesourfarmlooktoday?
56.
MurphysPlough
ConsequencesofAssumptions,Perception
McGinty,afarmer,neededtoploughhisfieldbeforethedryspellsetin,buthisown
ploughhadbroken.
"Iknow,I'llaskmyneighbour,farmerMurphy,toborrowhisplough.He'sagood
manI'msurehe'llhavedonehisploughingbynowandhe'llbegladtolendmehis
machine."
SoMcGintybegantowalkthethreeorfourfieldstoMurphy'sfarm.
Afterafieldofwalking,McGintysaystohimself,"IhopethatMurphyhasfinishedall
hisownploughingorhe'llnotbeabletolendmehismachine..."
Thenafterafewmoreminutesofworryingandwalking,McGintysaystohimself,
"AndwhatifMurphy'sploughisoldandonitslastlegshe'llneverbewantingto
lendittomewillhe?.."
Andafteranotherfield,McGintysays,"Murphywasneveraveryhelpfulfellow,I
reckonmaybehewon'tbetookeentolendmehisploughevenifit'sinperfect
workingorderandhe'sfinishedallhisownploughingweeksago...."
AsMcGintyarrivesatMurphy'sfarm,McGintyisthinking,"ThatoldMurphycanbea
meanoldfellow.Ireckonevenifhe'sgotallhisploughingdone,andhisown
machineissittingtheredoingnothing,he'llnotlendittomejustsowatchmegoto
ruin..."
McGintywalksupMurphy'sfrontpath,knocksonthedoor,andMurphyanswers.
"WellgoodmorningMrMcGinty,whatcanIdoforyou?"saysMurphy.
AndMcGintysays,witheyesbulging,"Youcantakeyourbloominploughandyou
canstickitwherethesundontshine!"
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesIfoundthisstoryonBusinessballsandhavechangedtheendingto
beslightlymorepoliteJIlovethisstoryanduseittoillustrateamodelIshare
whenworkingwithpeoplecalledtheladderofinference.
57.
NailsintheFence
Accountability,Wisdom
Thereoncewasanangryteenagerwhohadaveryshorttemper.Hisfathergave
himabagofnailsandtoldhimthateverytimehelosthistemper,hemusthammer
anailintothebackofthefence.
Thefirstdaytheboyhaddriven37nailsintothefence.Overthenextfewweeks,as
helearnedtocontrolhisanger,thenumberofnailshammereddailygradually
dwindleddown.Hediscovereditwaseasiertoholdhistemperthantodrivethose
60
nailsintothefence.
Finallythedaycamewhentheboydidn'tlosehistemperatall.Hetoldhisfather
aboutitandthefathersuggestedthattheboynowpulloutonenailforeachday
thathewasabletoholdhistemper.Thedayspassedandtheyoungboywasfinally
abletotellhisfatherthatallthenailsweregone.
Thefathertookhissonbythehandandledhimtothefence.Hesaid,"Youhave
donewellmyson,butlookattheholesinthefence.Thefencewillneverbethe
same.Whenyousaythingsinanger,theyleaveascarjustlikethisone.Youcanput
aknifeinamananddrawitout.Itwon'tmatterhowmanytimesyousayI'msorry,
sadlythewoundisstillthere."
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesIbelieveyoucouldadaptthisstoryforadultstoequaleffectand
substituteangerforjumpingtoconclusions,makingaccusations,mindreadingand
makingassumptions.
58.
NASA
Vision
AgoodexampleforenrollingtheinternalpeopleinthevisioninvolvesPresidentJohn
FKennedy.WhenhewastouringNASA,thePresidentmetamanwho,itturned
out,wasajanitor.HeintroducedhimselfasJackandwhenheaskedthejanitorso
whatdoyoudoaroundhere?themananswered,"I'mhelpingtoputamanonthe
moon."
Claresnotesthismaywellbeanurbanmythbut,likethestonecutterand
cathedralstory,itsagreatlittlemetaphortosetthesceneforencouragingpeople
tothinkbig,togetclarityontheirdirectionandvisionandtoencouragedialogue
aroundmotivatingthemasses.
59.
OneThousandMarbles
DifferentPerspectives,Prioritisation
TheolderIget,themoreIenjoySaturdaymornings.Perhaps
it'sthequietsolitudethatcomeswithbeingthefirsttorise,or
maybeit'stheunboundedjoyofnothavingtobeatwork.
Eitherway,thefirstfewhoursofaSaturdaymorningaremost
enjoyable.
Afewweeksago,Iwasshufflingtowardthegaragewitha
steamingcupofcoffeeinonehandandthemorningpaperintheother.Whatbegan
asatypicalSaturdaymorningturnedintooneofthoselessonsthatlifeseemsto
handyoufromtimetotime.Letmetellyouaboutit:
Iturnedthedialupintothephoneportionofthebandonmyhamradioinorderto
listentoaSaturdaymorningswapnet.Alongtheway,Icameacrossanolder
soundingchap,withatremendoussignalandagoldenvoice.Youknowthekindhe
soundedlikeheshouldbeinthebroadcastingbusiness.Hewastellingwhomeverhe
wastalkingwithsomethingabout"athousandmarbles."Iwasintriguedandstopped
tolistentowhathehadtosay.
61
"Well,Tom,itsuresoundslikeyou'rebusywithyourjob.I'msuretheypayyouwell
butit'sashameyouhavetobeawayfromhomeandyourfamilysomuch.Hardto
believeayoungfellowshouldhavetoworksixtyorseventyhoursaweektomake
endsmeet.It'stoobadyoumissedyourdaughter'sdancerecitalhecontinued."Let
metellyousomethingthathashelpedmekeepmyownpriorities."
Andthat'swhenhebegantoexplainhistheoryofa"thousandmarbles."
"Yousee,Isatdownonedayanddidalittlearithmetic.Theaveragepersonlives
aboutseventyfiveyears.Iknow,somelivemoreandsomeliveless,buton
average,folksliveaboutseventyfiveyears.
"Nowthen,Imultiplied75times52andIcameupwith3900,whichisthenumber
ofSaturdaysthattheaveragepersonhasintheirentirelifetime.
IttookmeuntilIwasfiftyfiveyearsoldtothinkaboutallthisinanydetail",he
wenton,"andbythattimeIhadlivedthroughovertwentyeighthundred
Saturdays.""IgottothinkingthatifIlivedtobeseventyfive,Ionlyhadabouta
thousandofthemlefttoenjoy.SoIwenttoatoystoreandboughteverysingle
marbletheyhad.Iendeduphavingtovisitthreetoystorestoroundup1000
marbles.Itookthemhomeandputtheminsidealarge,clearplasticcontainerright
hereintheshacknexttomygear."
"EverySaturdaysincethen,Ihavetakenonemarbleoutandthrownitaway.I
foundthatbywatchingthemarblesdiminish,Ifocusedmoreonthereallyimportant
thingsinlife.Thereisnothinglikewatchingyourtimehereonthisearthrunoutto
helpgetyourprioritiesstraight."
"NowletmetellyouonelastthingbeforeIsignoffwithyouandtakemylovelywife
outforbreakfast.Thismorning,Itooktheverylastmarbleoutofthecontainer.I
figurethatifImakeituntilnextSaturdaythenIhavebeengivenalittleextratime.
Andtheonethingwecanalluseisalittlemoretime."
"ItwasnicetomeetyouTom,Ihopeyouspendmoretimewithyourfamily,andI
hopetomeetyouagainhereontheband.Thisisa75YearoldMan,K9NZQ,clear
andgoingQRT,goodmorning!"
Authorunknown
Claresnotes(aforwardedemail)Idontusuallyrecallthewholestorybuthave
leftitasisforyoutogetthewholepicture.Iusuallyintroducetheconceptoftime
andworklifebalanceconversationallythenaskpeoplehowmanySaturdaysthey
thinktheystillhavelefttoenjoy.Itsagoodwakeupcall.
60.
OurDeepestFear
Empowerment,Inspiration
Ourdeepestfearisnotthatweareinadequate.
Ourdeepestfearisthatwearepowerfulbeyondmeasure.
Itisourlight,notourdarknessthatmostfrightensus.
Weaskourselves,WhoamItobebrilliant,gorgeous,talented,fabulous?
Actually,whoareyounottobe?
YouareachildofGod.Yourplayingsmalldoesnotservetheworld.
Thereisnothingenlightenedaboutshrinkingsothatotherpeoplewon'tfeelinsecure
aroundyou.
62
Weareallmeanttoshine,aschildrendo.Wewereborntomakemanifesttheglory
ofGodthatiswithinus.It'snotjustinsomeofusit'sineveryone.
Andasweletourownlightshine,weunconsciouslygiveotherpeoplepermissionto
dothesame.Asweareliberatedfromourownfear,ourpresenceautomatically
liberatesothers.
MarianneWilliamsonfromAReturntoLove(sometimesincorrectlyattributed
toNelsonMandela)
ClaresnotesIhavefoundthispieceofproseinvaluablewhenworkingoneonone
withsomeonewhohaslosttheirway,feelssmallordoubtsthecontributiontheyare
making.Ifinditalsoagoodselfreminderandkeepacopyinmypurse.
61.
Parachutes
Culture,Gratitude,Teamwork
CharlesPlumbwasanavyjetpilot.Onhisseventysixth
combatmission,hewasshotdownandparachutedinto
enemyterritory.Hewascapturedandspentsixyearsin
prison.Hesurvivedandnowlecturesonthelessonshe
learnedfromhisexperiences.
Oneday,amanapproachedPlumbandhiswifeina
restaurant,andsaid,"AreyouPlumbthenavypilot?"
"Yes,howdidyouknow?"askedPlumb.
"Ipackedyourparachute,"themanreplied.
Plumbwasamazedandgrateful:"Ifthechuteyoupackedhadn'tworkedIwouldn't
beheretoday..."
Plumbreferstothisinhislectures:hisrealisationthattheanonymoussailorswho
packedtheparachutesheldthepilots'livesintheirhands,andyetthepilotsnever
gavethesesailorsasecondthoughtneverevensaidhello,letalonesaidthanks.
NowPlumbaskshisaudiences,"Whopacksyourparachutes?.....Whohelpsyou
throughyourlife?....Physically,mentally,emotionally,spiritually?.......
Thinkaboutwhohelpsyourecognisethemandsaythanks."
Claresnotesyoucanreadmoreaboutthisexceptionalmanathiswebsite
www.charlieplumb.com.Istillstruggletotellthisstorywithoutgettingalittle
emotional!Itissuchapowerfulmetaphorforcollegiality,inspiringacultureof
mateshipandacknowledgingeveryonesroleinthecompany/family/club.
62.
PlayingaViolinwithThreeStrings
AdaptingtoChange,Innovation,Inspiration,Leadership,Resilience
OnNov.18,1995,ItzhakPerlman,theviolinist,cameonstagetogiveaconcertat
AveryFisherHallatLincolnCentreinNewYorkCity.
IfyouhaveeverbeentoaPerlmanconcert,youknowthatgettingonstageisno
smallachievementforhim.Hewasstrickenwithpolioasachild,andsohehas
bracesonbothlegsandwalkswiththeaidoftwocrutches.Toseehimwalkacross
thestageonestepatatime,painfullyandslowly,isanawesomesight.
63
Hewalkspainfully,yetmajestically,untilhereacheshischair.Thenhesitsdown,
slowly,putshiscrutchesonthefloor,undoestheclaspsonhislegs,tucksonefoot
backandextendstheotherfootforward.Thenhebendsdownandpicksupthe
violin,putsitunderhischin,nodstotheconductorandproceedstoplay.
Bynow,theaudienceisusedtothisritual.Theysitquietlywhilehemakeshisway
acrossthestagetohischair.Theyremainreverentlysilentwhileheundoesthe
claspsonhislegs.Theywaituntilheisreadytoplay.
Butthistime,somethingwentwrong.Justashefinishedthefirstfewbars,oneof
thestringsonhisviolinbroke.Youcouldhearitsnapitwentofflikegunfireacross
theroom.Therewasnomistakingwhatthatsoundmeant.Therewasnomistaking
whathehadtodo.
Wefiguredthathewouldhavetogetup,putontheclaspsagain,pickupthe
crutchesandlimphiswayoffstagetoeitherfindanotherviolinorelsefindanother
stringforthisone. Buthedidn't.Instead,hewaitedamoment,closedhiseyesand
thensignalledtheconductortobeginagain.
Theorchestrabegan,andheplayedfromwherehehadleftoff.Andheplayedwith
suchpassionandsuchpowerandsuchpurityastheyhadneverheardbefore.
Ofcourse,anyoneknowsthatitisimpossibletoplayasymphonicworkwithjust
threestrings.Iknowthat,andyouknowthat,butthatnightItzhakPerlmanrefused
toknowthat.Youcouldseehimmodulating,changing,recomposingthepieceinhis
head.Atonepoint,itsoundedlikehewasdetuningthestringstogetnewsounds
fromthemthattheyhadnevermadebefore.
Whenhefinished,therewasanawesomesilenceintheroom.Andthenpeoplerose
andcheered.Therewasanextraordinaryoutburstofapplausefromeverycornerof
theauditorium.Wewereallonourfeet,screamingandcheering,doingeverything
wecouldtoshowhowmuchweappreciatedwhathehaddone.
Hesmiled,wipedthesweatfromthisbrow,raisedhisbowtoquietus,andthenhe
saidnotboastfully,butinaquiet,pensive,reverenttone"Youknow,sometimes
itistheartist'stasktofindouthowmuchmusicyoucanstillmakewithwhatyou
haveleft."
AuthorJackRiemer
Claresnoteswhatgiftspotentiallyliewithinuswhenwedontlabelsomethingas
goodorbad,takeamomenttorespondandmakethemostofthesituationweare
given.Thisstoryinspiresmetohavemoreselfconfidenceandtaketheleap.Itisa
highlysensorymetaphorforadaptingtochange.
63.
(The)Poodle&theLeopard
Courage,Initiative,LateralThinking,Wisdom
AwealthyoldladydecidestogoonaphotosafariinAfrica,takingherfaithfulaged
poodlenamedCuddles,alongforthecompany.
Onedaythepoodlestartschasingbutterfliesandbeforelong,Cuddlesdiscoversthat
he'slost.Wanderingabout,henoticesaleopardheadingrapidlyinhisdirectionwith
theintentionofhavinglunch.
64
Theoldpoodlethinks,"Oh,oh!I'mindeepdoodoonow!"Noticingsomeboneson
thegroundcloseby,heimmediatelysettlesdowntochewontheboneswithhis
backtotheapproachingcat.Justastheleopardisabouttoleaptheoldpoodle
exclaimsloudly,"Boy,thatwasonedeliciousleopard!Iwonderifthereareanymore
aroundhere?"
Hearingthis,theyoungleopardhaltshisattackinmidstrike,alookofterrorcomes
overhimandheslinksawayintothetrees."Whew!"saystheleopard,"Thatwas
close!Thatoldpoodlenearlyhadme!"
Meanwhile,amonkeywhohadbeenwatchingthewholescenefromanearbytree
figureshecanputthisknowledgetogooduseandtradeitforprotectionfromthe
leopard.Sooffhegoes,buttheoldpoodleseeshimheadingaftertheleopardwith
greatspeed,andfiguresthatsomethingmustbeup.Themonkeysooncatchesup
withtheleopard,spillsthebeansandstrikesadealforhimselfwiththeleopard.
Theyoungleopardisfuriousatbeingmadeafoolofandsays,"Here,monkeyhop
onmybackandseewhat'sgoingtohappentothatconnivingcanine!
Now,theoldpoodleseestheleopardcomingwiththemonkeyonhisbackand
thinks,"WhatamIgoingtodonow?",butinsteadofrunning,thedogsitsdownwith
hisbacktohisattackers,pretendinghehasn'tseenthemyet,andjustwhenthey
getcloseenoughtohear,theoldpoodlesays.
"Where'sthatdamnmonkey?Isenthimoffanhouragotobringmeanother
leopard!
Authorunknown
Claresnotes(anotheremailforward)thisstoryneverfailstoraiseachuckleand
yetitsmessagerunsdeep.Thereisalwaysasolution,maybeIjusthaventfoundit
yet.
64.
PortraitofanAchiever!
Leadership,Persistence,Resilience
FailedinBusinessBankruptcy,1831
DefeatedforLegislature,1832
FailedinBusinessBankruptcy,1834
SweetheartFianceDies,1835
NervousBreakdown,1836
DefeatedinElection,1838
DefeatedforU.S.Congress.1846
DefeatedagainforU.S.Congress,1848
DefeatedforU.S.Senate,1855
DefeatedforU.S.VicePresident,1856
DefeatedagainforU.S.Senate,1858
ABRAHAMLINCOLN
ELECTEDPRESIDENTOFTHEU.S.A.,1860
"Youcannotfail...unlessyouquit!"
PhotoWikimediaCommons
Sourceunknown
ClaresnotesIlovereadingthisoutthenaskingmyaudiencetoguesswhowere
talkingaboutthenreleasethename.AbeLincolngetsmyvoteasoneofthe
greatestbouncersthateverlived!
65
65.
PrizeCow
ChallengingtheStatusQuo,FindingtheGiftintheChallenge,TakingRisks
Onceuponatimetherewasawiseoldrabbiwhotravelledthelandwithhisyoung
apprentice.Ateachvillagetheypassedthrough,therabbiwouldseekoutthehouse
ofafamilyhehadbeenguidedthroughprayertobeofassistanceto,andthey
wouldtakeuplodgingwiththefamilyforthenight.Sometimesthehouseswere
grandandsometimessimple,butwherevertheystayed,thefamiliesliveswouldin
somewaybetransformedbyhisvisit.
Oneday,therabbiandhisapprenticearrivedataparticularlypoorvillageandtothe
apprentice'sdismay,therabbisoughtoutthepooresthomeinthevillagetorequest
lodging.
Althoughthehouseitselfwasbarelyashack,therewasahealthycowstandingby
itself,tetheredtoapostinthemiddleoftheshack'stiny,dirtfilledyard.Aswasthe
custom,therabbiandhisapprenticewerewelcomedintothehomeofthispoorbut
proudfamilyandsharedinwhatlittlefoodtherewas.
Afterthemeal,thesomewhatsicklyheadofthehouseholdexplainedhowblessed
theywerethatdespitetheirabjectpoverty,theywereabletomaintaintheirprize
milkingcowthatalwaysprovidedthemwithjustenoughtogetby.Thelivesofthe
familyrevolvedaroundthecareandfeedingofthiscow,withalltheirsparetimeand
anysparemoneygoingtowardsitsupkeep.
Therabbinoddedandsmiledashelistenedtotheirstories,andwhentheheadof
thehouseholdexplainedapologeticallythathehadtogetupveryearlytofeedand
milkthecow,everyonewentofftosleep.Butinthemiddleofthenight,therabbi
wokehisapprenticeandledhimouttothesmallyardwherethecowwastethered.
Totheapprentice'sdismay,therabbiswiftlykilledthecowandtheyleftthehouse
beforethesunhadclimbedupintotheskyfromitseasternbed.Despiteallthe
apprentice'sentreaties,therabbirefusedtoexplainhisactions,sayingonlythat
"thingsarenotalwaysaswethinkthemtobe."
Severalyearspassed,andtheapprenticehadabandonedhisapprenticeshipand
beguntravellingonhisown.Althoughhehadlearnedmuchfromthewiseoldrabbi,
hehadneverforgottentheincidentwiththecow,andherealizedthathehimself
couldneverbecomearabbiortrulybeatpeacewithhimselfuntilhewentbackto
thevillageandconfessedwhattheyhaddone.Asheapproachedthevillage,the
youngman'smindwasfilledtooverflowingaboutwhatsadfatehadbefallenthat
poorbutproudfamilyafterthedeathoftheironeandonlyprizecow.Yetwhenhe
arrivedatthespotwheretheoldshackhadbeen,init'splacestoodamuchnicer
house,andwhathadbeenasmalldirtyardwasnowamuchlargerfieldfilledwith
cornandwheat.
Convincedthatthefamilyhadlosttheirhomeandithadbeentakenoverbywealthy
landowners,heapproachedastronglookingmanwalkingthroughthefieldtofind
outwhathadbecomeofthepoorfamily.Tohissurprise,itwasthesameheadofthe
householdwhohadseemedsosicklywhenlasttheymet,andwhenheexplained
whohewashewaswelcomedbackwithopenarmsandaswasthecustom,invited
toshareaheartymealwiththefamilyandspendthenightundertheirsturdyroof.
Awedbythetransformationinthefamily'shealthandfortunes,theformer
apprenticeasked,withsometrepidation,whathadbecomeoftheirprizecow.
66
"Well,"saidtheheadofthehouseholdwithatwinkleinhiseye,"itwasthestrangest
thing.Theverynightyouleftweawoketofindourcowhadbeenmurdered,no
doubtbysomeneighboursjealousofourprizepossession.Atfirst,ofcourse,we
weredevastated,andwewonderedifwerebeingpunishedinsomewayfornot
beingworthyofourgoodfortune.Then,ofnecessity,webegantoexploreanew
wayoftakingcareofourselves.Itwasmydaughterwhofirstsuggestedthatwe
attempttogrowvegetablesinthatsmallpatchofdirtwhichhadoncebeenhometo
ourcow,andthatwassuccessfulbeyondourwildestdreams."
"Notonlywereweabletofeedourselves,butwehadenoughcropleftovertosellat
market.Wereinvestedourprofitsinthelandandsoonenoughwewereabletobuy
ourneighboursplotaswell.Creatingourownfarmreinvigoratedmyspirit,andsoon
myhealthbegantoreturnaswell.Now,wearetrulyblessedinthatweareableto
blessotherswithourabundance."
Theformerapprenticewasstunnedintosilence,andafteralongnightinawarm,
comfortablebed,hethankedthefamilyfortheirkindnessandreturnedtotheroad.
Ashecontemplatedallthathadhappened,hedecidedtoreturntothewiseoldrabbi
tocompletehistraining.
Iwasallsettoofferupthemoralofthestorybutmywouldbeclientdeclined,
havingalreadyrealisedwhatmortgaginghislifetothecareandupkeepofhisown
"prizecow"wascostinghim.
StoryretoldwithpermissionbyMichaelONeillofGeniusCatalystandoriginating
fromtheJewishHasidicstories
Claresnotesitsquiteeasytoreducethelengthofthisstoryifyouwanttoor
elaborateonitactingoutthecharacters.Itssuchaclearexampleoffindingthe
blessingindisguiseandiseffectivewhenworkingtohelppeopleimproveresilience
andexpandtheircomfortzone.
66.
Quicktojudge
OnefoulcoldrainyeveningIwasapproachingaparkingspotinafullcarparkjust
besidethechemist.Ineededtogetcoldandflutreatmentsforallthefamily.AsI
turnedtoapproachtheonlyparkingspaceneartheChemist,acarskiddedtoahalt
blockingmefromtheparkingspaceandayouthwithbaseballcaponbackwards,
trainersandtracksuit,lookinglikeatypicalyoungyob(youthwithnorespectfor
others),sprungoutofthecarandranintothechemist.
Ihadtopark50yardsawayandwithmyrawthroatandfever,runthroughthe
downpourtothechemist.Iwasmadatthisobviouslyinconsiderateyobwho,whenI
wasalmostatthestoresentrance,pushedpastmerunningbacktohiscaringreat
haste.Heskidhistyresinthewetbackwardsoutontotheroad,withlittle
considerationforothertraffic,andtookoffasfastashecould.
Ienteredthestoretoseeayoungfemaleassistantlookingquitepaleandshocked.I
saidWhathappened,didherobyou?andatthisshealmostwasintears.Nono
shesaid,andIsaid,sowhatdidhedo?Shereplied,Hedidnthaveaphone,he
cameacrossaterribleaccidentdowntheroad,withchildreninvolvedandneededto
calltheemergencyservices.Hesveryshakenup.
AuthorJamieMoodie
67
ClaresnotesIlikeJamiesstorybecauseitssomethingthatsomanyofusdoona
dailybasisandwhenwelearntocheckinwithourselvesbeforejumpingto
conclusionsandjudging,itcanhaveamajoreffectontheoutcomesofour
behaviour.
67.
ReadingtheSigns
Acceptance,Accountability
AseverefloodthreatensatownwhereJacob,adevoutreligiousman,startspraying
tobesaved. Heescapestotheroofofhishouseandcontinueshispleas. Afew
momentslateramaninarowingboatcomesalongandofferstotakeJacobto
safety. Jacobthanksthekindmansaying,"No,thankyou.IprayedtoGodtotake
careofme,andItrustthatHewill."
Asthewatersarerising,amilitaryduckboatpassesbyandordersJacobonboard,
butagainherefuses,saying,"No,IamprayingtoGodtotakecareofme,andI
trustthatHewill." Asthewatersriseevenhigher,Jacobisclingingtothetopofhis
chimneyandahelicopterhoversover.Therescuerlowerstheropedownbuthe
gesturesNOagain,thatheisprayingtoGodtobesavedandtrustingthatHewill.
FinallythewaterstakeJacobandhedrowns.Ashepassesoverhecomesfaceto
facewithhismakerandisangry."Whydidyounotsaveme?"hecries.Saveyou?
repliesandexasperatedGod.Isentyouamaninarowingboat,amilitary
amphibiousvehicle,andfinallythenewshelicopter,whatmorecouldyouexpect!
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesthisisawellknownstoryyetIstilluseitoftenasitisaneffective
metaphorfortheproverbialuniversalmalletbeingthuddedagainstourheadswhen
wearetoolostinourselvestolookforthesolutionsinfrontofournoseandtake
action.
68.
(The)RealMeaningofPeace
Attitude,DifferentPerspectives,Resilience
Thereoncewasakingwhoofferedaprizetotheartistwhowouldpaintthebest
pictureofpeace.Manyartiststried.Thekinglookedatallthepictures.Butthere
wereonlytwohereallyliked,andhehadtochoosebetweenthem.
Onepicturewasofacalmlake.Thelakewasaperfectmirrorforpeacefultowering
mountainsallaroundit.Overheadwasablueskywithfluffywhiteclouds. Allwho
sawthispicturethoughtthatitwasaperfectpictureofpeace.
Theotherpicturehadmountains,too.Butthesewereruggedandbare.Abovewas
anangrysky,fromwhichrainfellandinwhichlightningplayed.Downthesideof
themountaintumbledafoamingwaterfall.Thisdidnotlookpeacefulatall.
Butwhenthekinglookedclosely,hesawbehindthewaterfallatinybushgrowingin
acrackintherock.Inthebushamotherbirdhadbuilthernest.There,inthemidst
oftherushofangrywater,satthemotherbirdonhernestinperfectpeace.
Whichpicturedoyouthinkwontheprize?
Thekingchosethesecondpicture.Doyouknowwhy?
68
"Because,"explainedtheking,"peacedoesnotmeantobeinaplacewherethereis
nonoise,trouble,orhardwork.Peacemeanstobeinthemidstofallthosethings
andstillbecalminyourheart.Thatistherealmeaningofpeace."
69.
Realitybites
EmbracingDiversity,LateralThinking,Perception
PabloPicassowastravellingthroughSpainonatrain.Oncehisseatmatediscovered
whohewassittingopposite,hestartedtorantaboutthefailingsofmodernart.He
talkedabouthowhedespisedPicasso'spaintingsbecausetheydidn'tlookreal,that
hisworkwasafalserepresentationofimagesintheworld.Picassolistenedquietly.
Themanfinallypulledasmallsnapshotoutofhiswalletandsaid,"Hereisapicture
ofmywife,thisiswhatshereallylookslike."Picassotookthesnapshotfromthe
man,helditsideways,andpeeredatitforalongtime.
Finallyheremarked,"Well,sheisawfullysmall..andflat."
Sourceunknown
ClaresnotesBravoPicasso!
70.
(The)RippleEffect
Accountability
TheMasterwaswalkingthroughthefieldsonedaywhenayoung
man,atroubledlookuponhisface,approachedhim.
"Onsuchabeautifulday,itmustbedifficulttostaysoserious,"
theMastersaid.
"Isit?Ihadn'tnoticed,"theyoungmansaid,turningtolook
aroundandnoticehissurroundings.Hiseyesscannedthe
landscape,butnothingseemedtoregisterhismindelsewhere.
Watchingintently,theMastercontinuedtowalk.
"Joinmeifyoulike."TheMasterwalkedtotheedgeofastill
pond,framedbysycamoretrees,theirleavesgoldenorangeandabouttofall.
"Pleasesitdown,"theMasterinvited,pattingthegroundnexttohim.Looking
carefullybeforesitting,theyoungmanbrushedthegroundtoclearaspacefor
himself.
"Now,findasmallstone,please,"theMasterinstructed.
"What?"
"Astone.Pleasefindasmallstoneandthrowitinthepond."
Searchingaroundhim,theyoungmangrabbedapebbleandthrewitasfarashe
could.
"Tellmewhatyousee,"theMasterinstructed.
Straininghiseyestonotmissasingledetail,themanlookedatthewater'ssurface.
"Iseeripples."
"Wheredidtheripplescomefrom?"
"FromthepebbleIthrewinthepond,Master."
"Pleasereachyourhandintothewaterandstoptheripples,"theMasterasked.
69
Notunderstanding,theyoungmanstuckhishandinthewaterasarippleneared,
onlytocausemoreripples.Theyoungmanwasnowcompletelybaffled.Wherewas
thisgoing?HadhemadeamistakeinseekingouttheMaster?Afterallhewasnota
student,perhapshecouldnotbehelped?
Puzzled,theyoungmanwaited.
"Wereyouabletostoptherippleswithyourhands?"theMasterasked.
"No,ofcoursenot."
"Couldyouhavestoppedtheripples,then?"
"No,Master.ItoldyouIonlycausedmoreripples."
"Whatifyouhadstoppedthepebblefromenteringthewatertobeginwith?"
TheMastersmiledsuchabeautifulsmiletheyoungmancouldnotbeupset.
"Nexttimeyouareunhappywithyourlife,catchthestonebeforeithitsthewater.
Donotspendtimetryingtoundowhatyouhavedone.Rather,changewhatyouare
goingtodobeforeyoudoit."TheMasterlookedkindlyupontheyoungman.
"ButMaster,howwillIknowwhatIamgoingtodobeforeIdoit?"
"Taketheresponsibilityforlivingyourownlife.Ifyou'reworkingwithadoctorto
treatanillness,thenaskthedoctortohelpyouunderstandwhatcausedtheillness.
Donotjusttreattheripples.Keepaskingquestions."Theyoungmanstopped,his
mindreeling.
"ButIcametoyoutoaskyouforanswers.AreyousayingthatIknowthe
answers?"
"Youmaynotknowtheanswersrightnow,butifyouasktherightquestions,then
youshalldiscovertheanswers."
"Butwhataretherightquestions,Master?"
"Therearenowrongquestions,onlyunaskedones.Wemustask,forwithoutasking,
wecannotreceiveanswers.Butitisyourresponsibilitytoask.Nooneelsecando
thatforyou."
Authorunknown
Claresnotestheresoftennoneedtousethewholestoryanditsgreatifyouare
nearwater(orcanbringabucketofwaterin)todothisinrealtimespeaks
louderandencouragesdialogue.
71.
(The)RiverCrossing
Attitude,Forgiveness,Perception,Values
Twomonksweretravellingtogetherwhentheycametoariverwithastrongcurrent.
Asthemonkswerepreparingtocrosstheriver,theysawaveryyoungandbeautiful
womanalsoattemptingtocross.Theyoungwomanaskedthemonksiftheycould
helpher.
Theyoungerofthetwomonkshesitatedastheywerenotsupposedtohaveany
physicalcontactwithwomen. Theoldermonkgentlymotionedthewomanontohis
backandproceededtohelpthewomanacrosstheriver. Uponreachingtheother
bankoftheriver,thewomangotdown,thankedthemonksandwentaway.
Asthemonkscontinuedtheirjourney,theyoungermonkbecameincreasingly
agitatedandfinallyspokeout,"Brother,youknowwearenotpermittedtohaveany
contactwithwomen,howcouldyoucarrythatwomanonyourback?"
Theoldermonklookedathimandsoftlyreplied,"Youareright,Ididcarrythat
woman. ButIhavealreadyputherdownmanyhoursago,afterwecrossedthe
river. Whyareyoustillcarryingher?"
70
OriginatingfromaZenstory
Claresnotesreceivedasaforwardedemail,thissimplemetaphorisoneI
sometimesusewhenencouragingopendiscussiononvaluesandthedifference
betweenespousingvaluesandlivingthem.
72.
RoastBeef
ChallengingtheStatusQuo,Culture
Alittlegirlwaswatchinghermotherprepareajointofbeeffordinner.Hermother
cutthejointinhalfandputitintworoastingtrays.Thelittlegirlaskedhermother
whyshecuttheroastintwo.Hermotherthoughtforawhileandthensaid,"I've
alwaysdoneitthatwaythat'showgrandmadidit."
Notsatisfiedwiththeanswer,thelittlegirlwenttovisithergrandmatofindoutwhy
shecutthejointintwobeforeroastingit.
Grandmathoughtforawhileandreplied,"Idon'tknow.Mymotheralwaysdidit
thatway."Sothelittlegirlandthegrandmawenttovisitgreatgrandmatofindask
ifsheknewtheanswer.
Greatgrandmathoughtforawhileandsaid,Becausewelivedinanarrowminers
townhousewithastackoventhatwastoonarrowtotakeajointthatwouldfeedthe
family,soIcutitintwoandroastedthemoneontopoftheother.
Authorunknownack.JamieMoodie
Claresnotesthissimplemetaphorshakesusuptochallengewhythingsarethe
waytheyareandexplorewhatcouldbedifferent.Ihaveuseditmanytimesand
changeditaccordingtomyaudiencetheroastbeefandovencanbeanythingthat
reflectsunchallengedtradition.
73.
RoberttheBruceandtheSpider
Courage,Persistence
RoberttheBruceKingofScotlandfrom13061329
IntheearlydaysofBrucesreignhewasdefeatedbythe
Englishanddrivenintoexile.Hewasontheruna
huntedmanandscared.Hesoughtrefugeinasmalldark
caveandsatandwatchedalittlespidertryingtomakea
web.Timeandtimeagainthespiderwouldfallandthen
climbslowlybackuptotryagain.
Ifatfirstyoudon'tsucceedtry,tryagain.
Finally,astheBrucelookedon,thespidermanagedtostickastrandofsilktothecave
wallandbegantoweaveaweb.RoberttheBrucewasinspiredbythespiderandwenton
todefeattheEnglishattheBattleofBannockburn.
ClaresnotesThiswellknownstorywasfirstpublishedbySirWalterScottinTales
ofaGrandfatherin1828.Itsasimpletaleyetinspiresmetocontinuethrough
toughtimes,especiallywhenIhavetheprivilegeofwatchingaspiderweaveits
web.ThisversionofthestoryIfoundonitscotland.org.uk
71
74.
StCrispinsDaySpeech
Inspiration,Leadership
EntertheKING
WESTMORELAND.Othatwenowhadhere
ButonetenthousandofthosemeninEngland
Thatdonoworktoday!
KING.What'shethatwishesso?
MycousinWestmoreland?No,myfaircousin
Ifwearemark'dtodie,weareenow
Todoourcountrylossandiftolive,
Thefewermen,thegreatershareofhonour.
God'swill!Ipraythee,wishnotonemanmore.
ByJove,Iamnotcovetousforgold,
NorcareIwhodothfeeduponmycost
Ityearnsmenotifmenmygarmentswear
Suchoutwardthingsdwellnotinmydesires.
Butifitbeasintocovethonour,
Iamthemostoffendingsoulalive.
No,faith,mycoz,wishnotamanfromEngland.
God'speace!Iwouldnotlosesogreatanhonour
Asonemanmoremethinkswouldsharefromme
ForthebesthopeIhave.O,donotwishonemore!
Ratherproclaimit,Westmoreland,throughmyhost,
Thathewhichhathnostomachtothisfight,
Lethimdeparthispassportshallbemade,
Andcrownsforconvoyputintohispurse
Wewouldnotdieinthatman'scompany
Thatfearshisfellowshiptodiewithus.
Thisdayiscall'dthefeastofCrispian.
Hethatoutlivesthisday,andcomessafehome,
Willstandatiptoewhenthisdayisnam'd,
AndrousehimatthenameofCrispian.
Hethatshalllivethisday,andseeoldage,
Willyearlyonthevigilfeasthisneighbours,
Andsay'TomorrowisSaintCrispian.'
Thenwillhestriphissleeveandshowhisscars,
Andsay'ThesewoundsIhadonCrispian'sday.'
Oldmenforgetyetallshallbeforgot,
Buthe'llremember,withadvantages,
Whatfeatshedidthatday.Thenshallournames,
Familiarinhismouthashouseholdwords
HarrytheKing,BedfordandExeter,
WarwickandTalbot,SalisburyandGloucester
Beintheirflowingcupsfreshlyrememb'red.
Thisstoryshallthegoodmanteachhisson
AndCrispinCrispianshallne'ergoby,
Fromthisdaytotheendingoftheworld,
Butweinitshallberemembered
Wefew,wehappyfew,webandofbrothers
Forhetodaythatshedshisbloodwithme
Shallbemybrotherbehene'ersovile,
Thisdayshallgentlehiscondition
AndgentlemeninEnglandnowabed
Shallthinkthemselvesaccurs'dtheywerenothere,
72
Andholdtheirmanhoodscheapwhilesanyspeaks
ThatfoughtwithusuponSaintCrispin'sday.
WilliamShakespearefromHenryV1599
ClaresnotesIusethistextinleadershipprogramsandworkshopsonmotivation
byshowingtheclipfromthefilmHenryV(starringKennethBranagh)andask
participantstolistenoutforthedifferentmessagesthatcatertothe3different
motivationalneedsofstatus,powerandaffiliation.Wethenrunanexercisetohave
thegroupswriteacompanymessagethatappealstoallthreeneeds.
75.
Sandcastles
Perception,Prioritisation
Hotsun.Saltyair,rhythmicwaves.Alittleboyisonthe
beach.Onhiskneeshescoopsandpacksthesandwith
plasticshovelsintoabrightredbucket.
Thenheupendsthebucketonthesurfaceandliftsit.
And,tothedelightofthelittlearchitect,acastletoweris
created.
Allafternoonhewillwork.Spooningoutthemoat,packingthewallswithshells.
Popsiclestickswillbebridges.Asandcastlewillbebuilt.
Bigcity.busystreets,rumblingtraffic.
Amanisinhisoffice.Athisdeskheshufflespapersintostacksanddelegates
assignments.Hecradlesthephoneonhisshoulderandpunchesthekeyboardwith
hisfingers.Numbersarejuggledandcontractsaresignedandmuchtothedelightof
theman,aprofitismade.
Allhislifehewillwork.Formulatingtheplans.Forecastingthefuture.Capitalgains
willbebridges.Anempirewillbebuilt.
Twobuildersoftwocastles.Theyhavemuchincommon.Theyshapegranulesinto
grandeurs.Theyseenothingandmakesomething.Theyarediligentand
determined.Andforboththetidewillriseandtheendwillcome.
Yetthatiswherethesimilaritiescease.Fortheboyseestheendwhiletheman
ignoresit.Watchtheboyastheduskapproaches.
Asthewavesnear,thewisechildjumpstohisfeetandbeginstoclap.Thereisno
sorrow.Nofear.Noregret.Heknewthiswouldhappen.Heisnotsurprised.And
whenthegreatbreakercrashesintohiscastleandhismasterpieceissuckedintothe
sea,hesmiles.Hesmiles,picksuphistools,takeshisfather'shandandgoeshome.
Thegrownup,however,isnotsowise.Asthewaveofyearscollapsesonhiscastle,
heisterrified.Hehoversoverthesandymonumenttoprotectit.Heblocksthe
wavesfromthewallshehasmade.Saltwatersoakedandshivering,hesnarlsatthe
incomingtide.
"It'smycastle,"hedefies.
Theoceanneednotrespond.Bothknowtowhomthesandbelongs...
73
Authorunknown
Claresnotesverypowerfulforputtingworkandlifebackintocontext.Ipreferto
usethisstoryinaconversationalmanneropeningupwiththequestionwhenwas
thelasttimeyoubuiltasandcastle?Ifyouwanttoreciteorreaditout,dosovery
deliberatelyforeffectashasapowerfulrhythm.
76.
(The)SecretofLife
Inspiration,Values,Vision
Aneightyearoldboyapproachedanoldmaninfrontofawishingwell,lookedup
intohiseyes,andasked"Iunderstandyou'reaverywiseman.I'dliketoknowthe
secretoflife."Theoldmanlookeddownattheyoungsterandreplied"I'vethought
alotinmylifetime,andthesecretcanbesummedupinfourwords:
Thefirstisthink.Thinkaboutthevaluesyouwishtoliveyourlifeby.
Thesecondisbelieve.Believeinyourselfbasedonthethinkingyou'vedoneabout
thevaluesyou'regoingtoliveyourlifeby.
Thethirdisdream.Dreamaboutthethingsthatcanbe,basedonyourbeliefin
yourselfandthevaluesyou'regoingtoliveby.
Thelastisdare.Daretomakeyourdreamsbecomereality,basedonyourbeliefin
yourselfandyourvalues."
Andwiththat,WalterE.Disneysaidtothelittleboy,"Think,Believe,Dreamand
Dare."
Sourceunknown
77.
SharpeningtheAxe
Prioritisation,Wisdom
YoumayhaveseenitonTV,orheardaboutitontheradioorreadaboutitinthe
newspaperbutrecentlytheannualWorldLoggingChampionshipwasheldinBritish
Columbia.ThetwofinalistswereaCanadianandaNorwegian.
Theirtaskwasstraightforward.Eachhadasectoroftheforest.Whoevercouldfell
themosttimberbetween8oclockinthemorningand4oclockintheafternoon
wouldbethewinner.
At8oclocksharp,thewhistleblewandthetwolumberjackssettowithattitude.It
seemedthattheychoppedstrokeforstrokeuntiltentoninetheCanadianheardthe
Norwegianstop.Sensinghischance,theCanadianredoubledhisefforts.
At9oclocktheCanadianheardtheNorwegianstartchoppingagain.Onemoreit
seemedasiftheychoppedstrokeforstrokeuntilattentotentheCanadianheard
theNorwegianstop.AgaintheCanadiancontinued,determinedtomakethemostof
hisopponentsweakness.
Atthestrokeof10oclock,theNorwegianbegancuttingagain.Until10toeleven,
theNorwegianpausedoncemore.Withagrowingsenseofconfidence,theCanadian
scentedvictoryandcontinuedhissteadyrhythm.
74
Andsoitwentonthroughoutthewholeday.Everyhourattentothehour,the
NorwegianwouldstopandtheCanadianwouldcontinue.Whenthewhistleblewto
finishthecontestat4oclockintheafternoon,theCanadianwassupremely
confidentthattheprizewashis.
Youcanimaginehowsurprisedhewastodiscoverthathehadlost.
Howdidyoudothat?heaskedtheNorwegian.EveryhourattentothehourI
heardyoustop.Howthehellwereyouabletocutmoretimberthanme?Itsjustnot
possible.
Itsreallyverysimple,saidtheNorwegianbluntly.Everyhourattentothehour,I
stopped.Whileyoucontinuedtocut,Iwassharpeningmyaxe.
SourceThe7HabitsifHighlyEffectivePeople
ClaresnotestherearemanyversionsofthisstoryandIwasremindedofitafew
yearsagowhenIreadStephenCoveys7habitsofhighlyeffectivepeople.Iusually
recountthisstoryassomethingthatIreadinthepaperanddeliverit
conversationally.Itcanbeverypowerfulwhenthismetaphorbecomesembeddedin
everydaylanguagewithpeopleasking,areyousharpeningtheaxeorgettingasore
back?
78.
(A)SlanderousTongue
Integrity,Wisdom
Anoldmanwasfoundtobespreadingrumoursthathisneighbourwasathief.Asa
result,theyoungmanwasarrested.Dayslatertheyoungmanwasproveninnocent.
Afterhewasreleasedhesuedtheoldmanforwronglyaccusinghim.
IncourttheoldmantoldtheJudge:Theywerejustcomments,theywerenot
meanttoharmanyone.
Thejudge,beforepassingsentenceonthecase,toldtheoldman:Writeallthe
thingsyousaidabouthimonapieceofpaper.Cutthemupandonthewayhome
throwthepiecesofpaperout.Tomorrow,comebacktohearthesentence.
Thenextday,thejudgetoldtheoldman:BeforeIhanddownyoursentence,you
mustgooutandgatherallthepiecesofpaperthatyouthrewoutyesterday.
Ican'tdothat!criedtheoldman.ThewindspreadthemandIwon'tknowwhere
tofindthem.
Thejudgethenreplied:Thisisthesamewaysimplecommentsmaydestroythe
honourofamantosuchanextentthatoneisnotabletofixit.Ifyoucan'tspeak
wellofsomeone,saynothingatall
Authorunknown
Claresnotesifyouareamanagerofteamsofdiversepeopleandarefindingthat
theresinterpersonalconflictwhichisbecomingpersonalinnaturethismetaphor
cancuttothecorewhilststayingrespectful.
75
79.
SomethingtoPonderon
Gratitude,DifferentPerspectives
Ifyouhavefoodintherefrigerator,clothesonyourback,aroofoverheadanda
placetosleep,youarericherthan75%ofthisworld.Ifyouwokeupthismorning
withmorehealththanillness,youaremoreblessedthanthemillionwhowillnot
survivethisweek.
Ifyouhavemoneyinthebank,inyourwallet,andsparechangeinadish
someplace,youareamongthetop8%oftheworld'swealthy.Ifyoucanattenda
churchmeetingwithoutfearofharassment,arrest,torture,ordeath,youaremore
blessedthanthreebillionpeopleintheworld.
Ifyouhaveneverexperiencedthedangerofbattle,thelonelinessofimprisonment,
theagonyoftorture,orthepangsofstarvation,youareaheadof500millionpeople
intheworld.Ifyouholdupyourheadwithasmileonyourfaceandaretruly
thankful,youareblessedbecausethemajoritycan,butmostdonot.
Ifyoucanreadthismessage,youaremoreblessedthanovertwobillionpeoplein
theworldwhocannotreadatall.Asyoureadthisandareremindedhowlifeisin
therestoftheworld,rememberjusthowblessedyoureallyare!
Sourceunknown
ClaresnotesIkeepacopyofthisinmypurse,giventomebymyFatherabout10
yearsago.IreaditoutinmyemotionalresilienceworkshopsandIpullitoutofmy
pursewheneverImfeelingsorryformyselfwhichdoesntlastlongonceIveread
it.
80.
SometimestheyChangetheBiscuits
Acceptance,ConsequencesofAssumptions,DifferentPerspectives
Aninterviewerwastalkingtoafemaleproductionlineworkerinabiscuitfactory.
Thedialoguewentlikethis:
Interviewer:Howlonghaveyouworkedhere?
ProductionLady:SinceIleftschool(probablyabout15years)
Interviewer:Whatdoyoudo?
ProductionLady:Itakepacketsofbiscuitsofftheconveyorbeltandputtheminto
cardboardboxes.
Interviewer:Haveyoualwaysdonethesamejob?
ProductionLady:Yes
Interviewer:Doyouenjoyit?
ProductionLady:Oohyes,it'sgreat,everyoneissoniceandfriendly,wehavea
goodlaugh.
Interviewer(withahintofdisbelief):Really?Don'tyoufinditabitboring?
ProductionLady:Ohno,sometimestheychangethebiscuits......
Sourceunknown
ClaresnotesthisremindsmeofoneofmyfavouritequotationsthatIusein
presentationsandworkshops,fromMartinLutherKing
Ifamaniscalledtobeastreetsweeper,heshouldsweepthestreetsevenas
MichelangelopaintedorBeethovencomposedmusic,orShakespearewrotepoetry.
Heshouldsweepstreetssowellthatallthehostsofheavenandearthwillpauseto
say,Herelivedagreatstreetsweeperwhodidhisjobwell.
76
81.
SpiltMilk
Attitude,Empowerment,Inspiration,ReframingChallenges
Therewasonceafamousresearchscientistwhohadmadeseveralveryimportant
medicalbreakthroughs.Hewasbeinginterviewedbyanewspaperreporterwho
askedhimwhyhethoughthewasabletobesomuchmorecreativethanthe
averageperson.Whatsethimsofarapartfromothers?
Herespondedthat,inhisopinion,itallcamefromanexperiencewithhismother
thatoccurredwhenhewasabouttwoyearsold.Hehadbeentryingtoremovea
bottleofmilkfromtherefrigeratorwhenhelosthisgripontheslipperybottleandit
fell,spillingitscontentsalloverthekitchenflooraveritableseaofmilk!
Whenhismothercameintothekitchen,insteadofyellingathim,givinghima
lecture,orpunishinghim,shesaid,Robert,whatagreatandwonderfulmessyou
havemade!Ihaverarelyseensuchahugepuddleofmilk.Well,thedamagehas
alreadybeendone.Wouldyouliketogetdownandplayinthemilkforafew
minutesbeforewecleanitup?
Indeed,hedid.Afterafewminutes,hismothersaid,Youknow,Robert,whenever
youmakeamesslikethis,eventuallyyouhavetocleanitupandrestoreeverything
toitsproperorder.So,howwouldyouliketodothat?Wecoulduseasponge,a
towel,oramop.Whichdoyouprefer?Hechosethespongeandtogetherthey
cleanedupthespilledmilk.
Hismotherthensaid,Youknow,whatwehavehereisafailedexperimentinhowto
effectivelycarryabigmilkbottlewithtwotinyhands.Letsgooutinthebackyard
andfillthebottlewithwaterandseeifyoucandiscoverawaytocarryitwithout
droppingit.Thelittleboylearnedthatifhegraspedthebottleatthetopnearthe
lipwithbothhands,hecouldcarryitwithoutdroppingit.
Whatawonderfullesson!
Thisrenownedscientistthenremarkedthatitwasatthatmomentthatheknewhe
didntneedtobeafraidtomakemistakes.
Instead,helearnedthatmistakeswerejustopportunitiesforlearningsomething
new,whichis,afterall,whatscientificexperimentsareallabout.Evenifthe
experimentdoesntwork,weusuallylearnsomethingvaluablefromit.
AuthorOgMandino
ClaresnotesthisfitssowellwiththeNLPpresuppositionthatthereisnofailure,
onlyfeedback.Ifweasleadersweretoadoptthisattitudeofempowermentand
trust,whatmightresult?
82.
Starfish
Optimism,Perception
Amanwastakingaleisurelywalkalongaremotebeach.Thesunwasshiningandit
wasabeautifulday.Offinthedistancehecouldseeapersongoingbackandforth
betweenthesurf'sedgeandthebeach.Backandforththispersonwent,onandon.
77
Asthemanapproachedhecouldseethattherewerehundredsofstarfishstranded
onthesandastheresultofthenaturalactionofthetide.
Themanwasstruckbytheapparentfutilityofthetask.Therewerefartoomany
starfish.Manyofthemweresuretoperish.Asheapproachedthepersoncontinued
thetaskofpickingupstarfishonebyoneandthrowingthem
intothesurf.
Ashecameuptothepersonhesaid,"Youmustbecrazy.
Therearethousandsofmilesofbeachcoveredwithstarfish.
Youcan'tpossiblymakeadifference."
Thepersonlookedattheman.Hethenstoopeddownand
pickeduponemorestarfishandthrewitbackintotheocean.
Heturnedbacktothemanandsaid,"Itsuremadea
differencetothatone!"
83.
(A)StickyInnovation
Culture,Empowerment,Innovation,Trust
Postitnotesmayhavebeenagodsendliterally.Intheearly1970sArtFrywasin
searchofabookmarkforhischurchhymnalthatwouldneitherfalloutnordamage
thehymnal.FrynoticedthatacolleagueSpencerSilverhaddevelopedanadhesive
thatwasstrongenoughtosticktosurfacesbutleftnomarkonremovalandcould
berepositioned.FrytooksomeofDrSilversadhesiveandapplieditalongtheedge
ofthepaper.Hischurchhymnalproblemwassolved.
Frysoonrealisedthathisbookmarkhadotherpotentialfunctionswhenheusedit
toleaveanoteandcoworkerskeptdroppingbyseekingbookmarksfortheir
offices.Thebookmarkwasanewwaytocommunicateandtoorganise.3M
CorporationcraftedthenamePostitnoteforFrysbookmarksandcommenced
productioninthelate70sforcommercialuse.
In1977,testmarketsfailedtoshowconsumerinterest.
OnApril6th,1980,thePostItnotepadwasfinallylaunched.Asexpected,they
becameaphenomenalsuccessandgraduallymorphedintomanyotherproduct
formssuchasbookmarks,filefoldertabs,phonemessagepads,gluesticks,tape
flagsetc.
Mostimportantly,thesuccessofthatseeminglyinnocuousmistakehashelpedto
cultivateacreativeenvironmentat3Mwherescientistsareencouragedtospend
15%oftheirtimebrainstormingandworkingonnewconceptsandideas,evenif
theymaynotpresentimmediatecommercialbenefits.
TodayweseePostitnotespepperedacrossdesks,anddoorsinofficesandhomes
throughoutthecountry.Fromachurchhymnalbookmarktothehomeessential,the
Postitnotehascolouredthewaywework.
www.3m.com
Claresnotestheresamoredetailedstoryon3Mswebsitebutthiscutdown
versionstillhighlightsthebeneficialoutcomesofanempowering,trustingand
innovativeculture.
78
84.
(The)Stonecutter
Acceptance,Perception
Anoldstorytellsofanunhappyanddiscontentedstonecutter.Onedayhecame
uponamerchantandwasawestruckbyallofthemarvellousgoodsthemanhadfor
sale."IwishIwereamerchant,"saidthestonecutterand,quiteamazingly,hiswish
wasgranted. Notlongafterwardhesawaparadepasshislittleshop.Spyinga
princedressedinsplendoursuchashehadneverbeforeseen,hesaid,"IwishI
wereaprince."Andhebecameone.
Butitwasn'ttoomanydayslaterthathesteppedoutsideandfeltthediscomfortof
thehotsummersunbeatingdownuponhishead."Evenaprincecannotstaycoolin
thesun,"hesaid."IwishIwerethesun."Thiswish,too,wasgranted. Hewas
happybeingthesununtilonedayacloudcamebetweenhimandtheearth."That
cloudovershadowsme,"hesaid."IwishIwereacloud." Again,hiswishwas
grantedandhewashappyuntilhecametoamountainthathecouldnotriseabove.
"ThismountainisgreaterthanIam,"hesaid."IwishIwereamountain."
Asatallandmightymountainhelookeddownupontheaffairsofhumansandfelt
thathewasfinallyhappy.Butonedayastonecutterclimbeduphissideandchipped
awayatrockandtherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit."Thatlittlemanismore
powerfulthanI,"themountainsaid."IwishIwereastonecutter."
Sothecirclewascompletedandnowthestonecutterknewthathewouldalwaysbe
happyjustbeinghimself.Hewouldneverdresslikeaprince,shinelikethesunnor
riseastallasamountain,buthewashappytobewhohewas.
Authorunknown
Claresnotesthisremindsmeoftheoldsaying"Thegrassmaybegreeneronthe
otherside,butyoustillhavetomowit!"Ihavefoundthisstoryeffectiveinoneon
oncecoachingwhenthecoacheefeelsconfusedorfrustratedwiththeircurrentlot.
85.
TakeTime
Prioritisation,Values,Wisdom
TaketimetothinkItisthesourceofallpower
TaketimetoreadItisthefoundationofallwisdom
TaketimetoplayItisthesourceofperpetualyouth
TaketimetobequietItistheopportunitytolisten
TaketimetobeawareItistheopportunitytohelpothers
TaketimetoloveandbelovedItisGodsgreatestgift
TaketimetolaughItisthemusicofthesoul
TaketimetobefriendlyItistheroadtohappiness
TaketimetodreamItiswhatthefutureismadeof
TaketimetoprayItisthegreatestpoweronearth
TaketimetogiveItistooshortadaytobeselfish
TaketimetoworkItisthepriceofsuccess
Attributedtomultipleauthors
ClaresnotesmyFathergavemethispoemmanyyearsagoanditremindsmeof
whatisreallyimportant,toprioritiseandlookforahealthyworklifebalanceevery
timeIreadit.
79
86.
Teaspoon,TeacuporBucket?
Choice,LateralThinking
Duringavisittothementalasylum,avisitoraskedtheDirectorwhichisthecriteria
thatdefinesapatienttobeinstitutionalized.
"Well,"saidtheDirector,"wefillupabathtub,weofferateaspoon,ateacup,anda
buckettothepatientandaskthepatienttoemptythebathtub."
Thedirectoraskedthevisitor
Wouldyouusethespoon,theteacuporthebucket?
"Justlikeanynormalperson,"saidthevisitor."Iwouldchoosethebucketasitis
largerthanthespoon."
"Really?"askedtheDirector."Inmyexperienceanormalpersonwouldpulltheplug.
Sadlythough,wehavenovacanciesatthispresenttime"
ClaresnotesIusethisforfunasanicebreakerwhenImleadingintothetopicof
beingatchoice.
87.
(The)ThreeHairs
Attitude,Choice,Optimism,Resilience
Thereoncewasawomanwhowokeuponemorning,lookedinthemirror,and
noticedshehadonlythreehairsonherhead.
Well,"shesaid,"IthinkI'llbraidmyhairtoday."Soshedidandshehadawonderful
day.
Thenextdayshewokeup,lookedinthemirrorandsawthatshehadonlytwohairs
onherhead.
"Hmmm,"shepondered,"Iknowwhat,IthinkI'llpartmyhairdownthemiddle
today."Soshedidandshehadawonderfulday.
Thenextdayshewokeup,lookedinthemirrorandnoticedthatshehadonlyone
haironherhead."Well,"shesaid,"todayI'mgoingtowearmyhairinaponytail."
Soshedidandshehadawonderfulday.
Thenextdayshewokeup,lookedinthemirrorandnoticedthattherewasn'ta
singlehaironherhead.
"Yippeee!"sheexclaimed,"Icangobacktobedandhavealiein,whatawonderful
daythiswillbeasIdon'thavetofixmyhair!"
ClaresnotesasmentionedinASprinklingofMagic,thisisoneofmyfavourite
metaphorsforsettingthesceneofbriningwithyouapositiveattitudetothe
day/workshop/eventetc.Iusuallyhamitup,actitoutandhavetheaudiencecount
downhowmanyhairs.Dontunderestimatethepoweroftheselittledittiesinhelping
youprepareyouraudience.
80
88.
TicklemeElmo
ClarityofCommunication,ConsequencesofAssumptions
'TickleMeElmo'isachildren'scuddlytoythatlaughswhentickledunderthearm.
LegendhasisitthatanewemployeeishiredattheTickleMeElmofactoryandshe
dulyreportsforherfirstday'sinductiontraining,priortobeingallocatedajobonthe
productionline.
At08:45thenextdaythepersonnelmanagerreceivesavisitfromanexcited
assemblylineforemanwhoisnotbestpleasedabouttheperformanceofthenew
recruit.Theforemanexplainsthatsheisfartooslow,andthatsheiscausingthe
entirelinetobackup,delayingthewholeproductionschedule.Thepersonnel
manageraskstoseewhat'shappening,sobothmenproceedtothefactoryfloor.
Onarrivaltheyseethatthelineisindeedbadlybackeduptherearedozensof
TickleMeElmosstrewnalloverthefactoryfloor,andtheyarestillpilingup.
Virtuallyburiedinamountainoftoyssitsthenewemployeeearnestlyfocusedon
herwork.Shehasarollofredplushfabricandabagofmarbles.Thetwomen
watchamazedasshecutsalittlepieceoffabric,wrapsitaroundapairofmarbles
andcarefullybeginssewthelittlepackagebetweenElmo'slegs.
Thepersonnelmanagerbeginstolaugh,anditissomewhilebeforehecancompose
himself,atwhichheapproachesthetrainee."I'msorry,"hesaystoher,notableto
disguisehisamusement,"butIthinkyoumisunderstoodtheinstructionsIgaveyou
yesterday....YourjobistogiveElmotwotesttickles."
Sourceunknown
ClaresnotesIdontcarewhetherthisisanurbanmythorrealeverytimeI
shareit,theresarealgiggleandweuseitasabasisfordiscussionontheneedto
beabsolutelyclearinourcommunicationandnotmakeassumptions.
89.
(The)Traveller&theMonk
Attitude,Choice,Perception
Onedayatravellerwaswalkingalongaroadonhisjourneyfromonevillageto
another.Ashewalkedhenoticedamonktendingthegroundinthefieldsbesidethe
road.Themonksaid"Goodday"tothetraveller,andthetravellernoddedtothe
monk.Thetravellerthenturnedtothemonkandsaid"Excuseme,doyoumindifI
askyouaquestion?"."Notatall,"repliedthemonk.
"IamtravellingfromthevillageinthemountainstothevillageinthevalleyandI
waswonderingifyouknewwhatitislikeinthevillageinthevalley?""Tellme,"said
themonk"Whatwasyourexperienceofthevillageinthemountains?"
"Dreadful,"repliedthetraveller,"tobehonestIamgladtobeawayfromthere.I
foundthepeoplemostunwelcoming.WhenIfirstarrivedIwasgreetedcoldly.Iwas
nevermadetofeelpartofthevillagenomatterhowhardItried.Thevillagerskeep
verymuchtothemselves,theydon'ttakekindlytostrangers.Sotellme,whatcanI
expectinthevillageinthevalley?"
"Iamsorrytotellyou,"saidthemonk"butIthinkyourexperiencewillbemuchthe
samethere".Thetravellerhunghisheaddespondentlyandwalkedon.
81
Afewmonthslateranothertravellerwasjourneyingdownthesameroadandhe
alsocameuponthemonk."Goodday,"saidthetraveller."Goodday"saidthe
monk.
"Howareyou?"askedthetraveller."I'mwell,"repliedthemonk,"Whereareyou
going?""I'mgoingtothevillageinthevalley"repliedthetraveller"Doyouknow
whatitislike?""Ido,"repliedthemonk"Butfirsttellmewherehaveyoucome
from?""I'vecomefromthevillageinthemountains."
"Andhowwasthat?"
"Itwasawonderfulexperience.IwouldhavestayedifIcouldbutIamcommittedto
travellingon.IfeltasthoughIwasamemberofthefamilyinthevillage.Theelders
gavememuchadvice,thechildrenlaughedandjokedwithmeandpeoplewere
generallykindandgenerous.Iamsadtohaveleftthere.Itwillalwaysholdspecial
memoriesforme.Andwhatofthevillageinthevalley?"heaskedagain.
"Ithinkyouwillfinditmuchthesame"repliedthemonk,"Gooddaytoyou".
"Gooddayandthankyou"thetravellerreplied,smiledandjourneyedon.
ClaresnotesInevertireoftellingthisstorywhichwasfirsttoldtomebyReg
ConnollyofPegasusNLP.ItremindsmeoftheShakespearequoteNothingiseither
goodorbadbutthinkingmakesitso.Ourattitudetoanygivencircumstances
createstheresultsweget.
90.
(The)TripleFilterTest
Integrity,LivingyourTruth
InancientGreece,scholarandintellectual,Socrateswasreputedtoholdknowledge
inhighesteem.Onedayanacquaintancemetthegreatphilosopherandsaid,"Do
youknowwhatIjustheardaboutoneofyourfriends?"
"Holdonaminute,"Dr.Socratesreplied."BeforetellingmeanythingI'dlikeyouto
passalittletest.It'scalledtheTripleFilterTest."
"Triplefilter?"askedtheman.
"That'sright,"Dr.Socratescontinued.
"Beforeyoutalktomeaboutmyfriend,itmightbeagoodideatotakeamoment
andfilterwhatyou'regoingtosay.That'swhyIcallitthetriplefiltertest.Thefirst
filterisTruth.Haveyoumadeabsolutelysurethatwhatyouareabouttotellmeis
true?"
"No,"themansaid,"actuallyIjustheardaboutitandwantedtotellittoyou"
"Allright,"saidSocrates."Soyoudon'treallyknowifit'strueornot.Nowlet'stry
thesecondfilter,thefilterofgoodness.Iswhatyouareabouttotellmeaboutmy
friendsomethinggood?"
"No,onthecontrary,itisbad.""So,"Socratescontinued,"youwanttotellme
somethingbadabouthim,butyou'renotcertainit'strue.Youmaystillpassthetest
though,becausethere'sonefilterleft:thefilterofusefulness.Iswhatyouwantto
tellmeaboutmyfriendgoingtobeusefultome?"
"No,notreally."Repliedtheman. "Well,"concludedDr.Socrates,ifwhatyouwant
totellmeisneithertrue,norgood,andnorevenusefultome,whytellittomeat
all?"
Authorunknown
82
ClaresnotesIfindthisarespectfulwaytoremindpeople(andthatincludesme)
oftheconsequencesoftheiractionsanditiswarmlyacceptedasopposedtoa
lectureongossiping.
91.
(The)TroubleTree
Attitude,Prioritisation,Resilience
AcarpenterIhiredtohelpmerestoreanoldfarmhousehadjustfinishedarough
dayonthejob.Aflattyremadehimloseanhourofwork,hiselectricsawquitand
nowhisancienttruckrefusedtostart.WhileIdrovehimhome,hesatinstony
silence.Onarriving,heinvitedmeintomeethisfamily.
Aswewalkedtowardthefrontdoor,hepausedbrieflyatasmalltree,touchingthe
tipsofthebrancheswithbothhands.
Whenopeningthedoor,heunderwentanamazingtransformation.Hisweathered
facelitupandhiseyescrinkledwithjoyashehuggedhistwosmallchildrenand
gavehiswifeakiss.Afterwardshewalkedmetothecar.Wepassedthetreeand
mycuriositygotthebetterofmesoIaskedhimaboutwhatIhadseenhimdo
earlier.
Oh,that'smytroubletreehereplied.IknowIcan'thelphavingtroublesonthe
job,butonethingforsure,troublesdon'tbelongathomewithmywifeandthe
children.SoIjusthangthemuponthetreeeverynightwhenIcomehome.Thenin
themorningIpickthemupagain.
Funnythingishesmiled,whenIcomeoutinthemorningtopickthemup,there
aren'tnearlyasmanyasIrememberhangingupthenightbefore.
Authorunknown
Claresnotesthetroubletreeisasimplemetaphorthatwecanadaptforourway
oflifeorculture.InGuatemalatheyhavetroubledollsyouputbesideyourbedat
night,handthemyourtroublesasyougotosleepandtheytakeover.Inmy
emotionalresilienceworkshopswediscusswhatourperfecttroubletreewouldbe.
92.
TwoBrothersandSomeGeese
Initiative,Leadership,Wisdom
Twosonsworkfortheirfatheronthefamily'sfarm.Theyoungerbrotherhadfor
someyearsbeengivenmoreresponsibilityandreward,andonedaytheolder
brotheraskshisfathertoexplainwhy.
Thefathersays,"First,gototheKelly'sfarmandseeiftheyhaveanygeeseforsale
becauseweneedtoincreaseourcurrentstock."
Thebrothersoonreturnswiththeanswer,"Yestheyhavefivegeesetheycansellto
ustoday."Thatfathersays,"Good,pleaseaskthemtheprice."
Thesonreturnswiththeanswer,"Thegeeseare$10each."
Thefathersays,"Good,nowaskiftheycandeliverthegeesetomorrow."
Thesonagainreturnswiththeanswer,"Yes,theycandeliverthegeesetomorrow."
83
Thefatherthenaskstheolderbrothertowaitandlistenwhilsthecallstothe
youngerbrotherinanearbyfield,"GototheDavidson'sFarmandseeiftheyhave
anygeeseforsalewillyouweneedtoincreaseourcurrentstock."
Theyoungerbrothersoonreturnswiththeanswer,"Yes,theyhavefivegeesefor
$10each,ortengeesefor$8eachandtheycandeliverthemtomorrow.Iasked
themtodeliverthefiveunlesstheyheardotherwisefromusinthenexthour.Ialso
agreedthatifwewanttheextrafivegeesewecouldbuythemfor$6each."
Thefatherturnedtotheolderson,whonoddedhisheadinappreciationhenow
realisedwhyhisbrotherwasgivenmoreresponsibilityandreward.
Authorunknown
93.
TwoFrogs
Encouragement,Persistence,Resilience
Agroupoffrogswerehoppingcontentedlythroughthewoods,goingabouttheir
froggybusiness,whentwoofthemfellintoadeeppit.Alloftheotherfrogs
gatheredaroundthepittoseewhatcouldbedonetohelptheircompanions.When
theysawhowdeepthepitwas,therestofthedismayedgroupagreedthatitwas
hopelessandtoldthetwofrogsinthepitthattheyshouldpreparethemselvesfor
theirfate,becausetheywereasgoodasdead.Unwillingtoacceptthisterriblefate,
thetwofrogsbegantojumpwithalloftheirmight.Someofthefrogsshoutedinto
thepitthatitwashopeless,andthatthetwofrogswouldn'tbeinthatsituationif
theyhadbeenmorecareful,moreobedienttothefroggyrules,andmore
responsible.
Theotherfrogscontinuedsorrowfullyshoutingthattheyshouldsavetheirenergy
andgiveup,sincetheywerealreadyasgoodasdead.Thetwofrogscontinued
jumpingashardastheycould,andafterseveralhoursofdesperateeffortwerequite
weary.Finally,oneofthefrogstookheedtothecallsofhisfellows.Spentand
disheartened,hequietlyresolvedhimselftohisfate,laydownatthebottomofthe
pit,anddiedastheotherslookedoninhelplessgrief.Theotherfrogcontinuedto
jumpwitheveryounceofenergyhehad,althoughhisbodywaswrackedwithpain
andhewascompletelyexhausted.Hiscompanionsbegananew,yellingforhimto
accepthisfate,stopthepainandjustdie.Thewearyfrogjumpedharderandharder
andwonderofwonders,finallyleaptsohighthathesprangfromthepit.
Amazed,theotherfrogscelebratedhismiraculousfreedomandthengathering
aroundhimasked,"Whydidyoucontinuejumpingwhenwetoldyouitwas
impossible?"Readingtheirlips,theastonishedfrogexplainedtothemthathewas
deaf,andthatwhenhesawtheirgesturesandshouting,hethoughttheywere
cheeringhimon.Whathehadperceivedasencouragementinspiredhimtotry
harderandtosucceedagainstallodds.
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesIlikethetwistattheendofthisstoryanditsapowerfulreminderof
thepowerofourwordsbothasencouragementanddiscouragement.Ifwecould
closeourearsofftothenegativefeedback,howmightthingsbedifferent?
Ifyouaretellingthisstorytoyoungpeopleyoucanchangeitsothatthe2nd frog
liesdownandcrieshimselftosleepthenisrescuedbythefirstfrogandhismates.
84
94.
TwoSeeds
Accountability,Courage,LivingyourTruth
Twoseedslaysidebysideinthefertilespringsoil.Thenfirstseedsaid,"Iwantto
grow!Iwanttosendmyrootsdeepintothesoilbeneathme,andthrustmysprouts
throughtheearth'scrustaboveme.Iwanttounfurlmytenderbudslikebannersto
announcethearrivalofspringIwanttofeelthewarmthofthesuninmyfaceand
theblessingofthemorningdewonmypetals.Andsoshegrew.
Thesecondseedsaid,"Iamafraid.IfIsendmyrootsintothegroundbelow,Idon't
knowwhatIwillencounterinthedark.IfIpushmywaythroughthehardsoilabove
meImaydamagemydelicatesprouts.WhatifIletmybudsopenandasnailtries
toeatthem?AndifIweretoopenmyblossoms,asmallchildmaypullmefromthe
ground.No,itismuchbetterformetowaituntilitissafe."Andsoshewaited.
Ayardhenscratchingaroundintheearlyspringgroundforfoodfoundthewaiting
seedandpromptlyateit.
Multipleauthorsassigned
ClaresnotesIfirstheardthisstoryjustbeforeIwasabouttodomyfirsthigh
ropescourseanditinspiredmetohaveago.AsIclimbedthetreeIimaginedthe2
seedsandresignedtonotplayingsmall.Alittletalewithaloudmessage.
95.
TwoWolves
Leadership,wisdom
OneeveninganoldCherokeetoldhisgrandsonaboutabattlethatgoesoninside
people.Hesaid,"Myson,thebattleisbetweentwowolvesinsideusall.OneisEvil.
Itisanger,envy,jealousy,sorrow,regret,greed,arrogance,selfpity,guilt,
resentment,inferiority,lies,falsepride,superiority,andego.
TheotherisGood.Itisjoy,peace,love,hope,serenity,humility,kindness,
benevolence,empathy,generosity,truth,compassionandfaith."
Thegrandsonthoughtaboutitforaminuteandthenaskedhisgrandfather:
Whichwolfwins?"TheoldCherokeesimplyreplied,"Theoneyoufeed."
Authorunknown
Claresnotesyoucanadaptthismetaphorforbusinessbychangingthebattles
e.g.oneisselfishness,greed,hostilityanddishonesty,theotheristeamspirit,
generosity,hospitalityandintegrity.
96.
(The)ValueofaSmile
Attitude,Optimism
Itcostsnothing,butcreatesmuch.Itenrichesthosewhoreceive,without
impoverishingthosewhogive.Ithappensinaflashandthememoryofitsometimes
lastsforever.Nonearesorichtheycangetalongwithoutitandnonesopoorbut
arericherforitsbenefits.
Itisresttotheweary,sunshinetothesad,andnature'sbestantidotefortrouble.
85
Itcannotbebought,begged,borrowedorstolen,foritissomethingthatisno
earthlygooduntilitisgivenaway.
Andyet,whenyougiveitaway,italwayscomesbackandnobodyneedsasmileso
muchasthosewhohavenonetogive.
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesIhaveselfishlyincludedthisasitwasgiventomebymyFatherin
1982andIhaveneverforgottenitsmessage.IsmileatstrangerswhereverIgoand
ifIseesomeonelookingalittledown,Ifindsomethingaboutthemtocompliment
themonandwalkawaysmilingfromeartoear.becauseIhavehelpedthemraise
asmile.
97.
Wellsee
AdaptingtoChange,DifferentPerspectives,Perception
ThereoncewasafarmerinthecentralregionofChina.Hedidn'thavealotof
moneyandinsteadofatractorheusedanoldhorsetoploughhisfield.
Oneafternoon,whileworkinginthefield,thehorsedroppeddead.Everyoneinthe
villagesaid,"Oh,whatahorriblethingtohappen."Thefarmersaidsimply,"We'll
see."Hewassoatpeaceandsocalm,thateveryoneinthevillagegottogetherand,
admiringhisattitude,gavehimanewhorseasagift.
Everyone'sreactionnowwas,"Whataluckyman."Andthefarmersaid,"We'llsee."
Afewdayslater,thenewhorsejumpedafenceandranaway.Everyoneinthe
villageshooktheirheadsandsaid,"Whatapoorfellow!"
Thefarmersmiledandsaid,"We'llsee."
Eventually,thehorsefoundhiswayhome,andeveryoneagainsaid,"Whata
fortunateman."
Thefarmersaid,"We'llsee."
Laterthatyear,thefarmer'ssondecidedtobreakthehorseinandfellandbrokehis
leg.Everyoneinthevillagesaid,"Whatashameforthepoorboy."
Thefarmersaid,"We'llsee."
Twodayslater,thearmycameintothevillagetodraftnewrecruits.Whentheysaw
thatthefarmer'ssonhadabrokenleg,theydecidednottorecruithim.
Everyonesaid,"Whatafortunateyoungman."Thefarmersmiledagainandsaid
"We'llsee."
Authorunknown
Claresnotesthisisoneofmyfavouritemetaphorsforembracinguncertaintyand
lettinggo.ItremindsmeofShakespearesquotationthatThereisnothingeither
goodorbadbutthinkingmakesitso.IusetheChinesefarmerstoryofteninmy
workshopswhenparticipantsarelabellingthingsasgoodorbadanditreallymakes
themsitupandreflect.Ialsousehumourinthestoryandhavetheaudience
respondingwiththewellsee(orsometimesIchangeittomaybe)response.
86
98.
(The)WheelbarrowofTrust
Leadership,Trust
UponcompletingahighlydangeroustightropewalkoverNiagaraFallsinappalling
windandrain,'TheGreatZumbrati'wasmetbyanenthusiasticsupporter,who
urgedhimtomakeareturntrip,thistimepushingawheelbarrow,whichthe
spectatorhadthoughtfullybroughtalong.
TheGreatZumbratiwasreluctant,giventheterribleconditionsbutthesupporter
pressedhim."YoucandoitIknowyoucan,"heurged.
"YoureallybelieveIcandoit?"askedZumbrati."Yesdefinitelyyoucandoit."
thesupportergushed.
"Okay,"saidZumbrati,"Getinthewheelbarrow....."
Authorunknown
Claresnotessimpleandfunnyyetwithapowerfulmessagetoallleadersabout
beingpreparedtowalkyourtalk.
99.
WhoseJobisitanyway?
Accountability
TherewasanimportantjobtobedoneandEverybodywasaskedtodoit.Everybody
wassureSomebodywoulddoit.Anybodycouldhavedoneit,butNobodydidit.
SomebodygotangryaboutthatbecauseitwasEverybody'sjob.Everybodythought
Anybodycoulddoit,butNobodyrealisedthatEverybodywouldn'tdoit.
ItendedupthatEverybodyblamedSomebodywhenactuallyNobodyasked
Anybody.
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesIhaveusedthisforyearsandalwayshaditpostedonmyofficewall,
intheofficekitchenabovethesink,therefrigeratoretc!Idontalwaysrememberit
correctlywhenrecitingitwhichjustgiveseveryoneachuckle!
100.
YourValuetheStoryofthe$20note
Inspiration,LivingyourTruth,Optimism
Awellknownspeakerstartedoffhisseminarbyholdingupa$20note.Intheroom
of200,heasked,"Whowouldlikethis$20note?"Handsstartedgoingup.Hesaid,
"Iamgoingtogivethis$20tooneofyoubutfirst,letmedothis.
Heproceededtocrumpleupthe$20note.Hethenasked,"Whostillwantsit?"Still
thehandswereupintheair.Well,hereplied,"WhatifIdothis?"Andhedroppedit
onthegroundandstartedtogrinditintothefloorwithhisshoe.Hepickeditup,
nowcrumpledanddirty.Stillthehandswentintotheair.
Myfriends,wehavealllearnedaveryvaluablelesson.NomatterwhatIdidtothe
money,youstillwanteditbecauseitdidnotdecreaseinvalue.Itwasstillworth
$20.
87
Manytimesinourlives,wearedropped,crumpled,andgroundintothedirtbythe
decisionswemakeandthecircumstancesthatcomeourway.
Wefeelasthoughweareworthless.Butnomatterwhathashappenedorwhatwill
happen,youwillneverloseyourvalue.Dirtyorclean,crumpledorfinelycreased,
youarestillpricelesstothosewholoveyou.Theworthofourlivescomesnotin
whatwedoorwhoweknow,butbywhoweare.
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesIhaveusedthisinoneononecoachingsessionstogoodeffect
thoughwithplasticnotesinAustraliaitshardtomakeonelookcrumpledand
dirty!
101.
ZenandaCupofTea
Perception,Wisdom
Nanin,aJapanesemasterduringtheMeijiera(18681912),receivedauniversity
professorwhocametoinquireaboutZen. Whilethemasterquietlyservedtea,the
professortalkedaboutZen.Themasterpouredthevisitor's
cuptothebrim,andthenkeptpouring.
Theprofessorwatchedtheoverflowingcupuntilhecouldno
longerrestrainhimself."It'soverfull!Nomorewillgoin!"the
professorblurted."Likethiscup,"Naninsaid,"youarefull
ofyourownopinionsandspeculations.HowcanIshowyou
Zenunlessyoufirstemptyyourcup?"
OriginalZenstory
ClaresnotesIusethismetaphorfrequentlythoughputaslightlylessharshslant
onitandusuallyasktheaudiencewhytheZenMasterwascontinuingtofillthecup.
IfirstheardthisstoryfromRegConnollywhenIwasstudyingNLPanditwasa
respectfulwaytoprepareusasalearningaudiencetoopenourminds,listenand
learn.
An
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2B
Bo
on
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ie
es
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!
And
102.
Zero
AdaptingtoChange,ChallengingtheStatusQuo,Culture
Aqualitymanagementconsultantwasvisitingasmallandsomewhatantiquated
Englishmanufacturingcompany,toadviseonimprovinggeneraloperatingefficiency.
Theadvisorwasreviewingaparticulardailyreportwhichdealtwithaspectsof
productivity,absenteerates,machinefailure,downtime,etc.Thereportwas
completedmanuallyontoaphotocopiedproformathatwasseveralgenerationsaway
fromtheoriginalmastercopy,soitsheadingsanddescriptionswerequitedifficultto
understand.
Thephotocopiedformswereparticularlyfuzzyatthetoprightcorner,whereasmall
boxhadaheadingthatwasnotclearatall.Theadvisorwasinterestedtonotethat
thefigure'0'hadbeenwrittenineverydailyreportforthepastyear.Onquestioning
themembersofstaffwhocompletedthereport,theytoldhimthattheyalwaysputa
zerointhatbox,andwhenheaskedthemwhy,theylookedateachotherblankly.
"Hmmm..,I'mnotsureaboutthat,"theyeachsaid,"Iguesswe'vejustalwaysdone
itthatway."
88
Intrigued,theconsultantvisitedthearchivestoseeifhecouldfindaclearerform,to
discoverwhatwasoriginallybeingreportedandwhetheritactuallyheldany
significance.Whenhefoundtheoldreports,hesawthatthezeroreturnhad
continueduninterruptedforasfarbackastherecordsextendedatleastthepast
thirtyyearsbutnoneoftheformswasanyclearerthanthosepresentlyinuse.
Alittlefrustrated,hepackedawaytheoldpapersandturnedtoleavetheroom,but
somethingcaughthiseye.Inanotherboxhenoticedafolder,promisinglytitled
'masterforms'.Sureenoughinsideithefoundtheoriginaldailyreportproforma
mastercopy,inpristinecondition.
Inthetoprightcornerwasthemysteriousbox,withtheheadingclearlyshown......
'NumberofAirRaidsToday'.
Authorunknown
ClaresnotesIlovethisstoryandchallengeeveryonewhoislookingtoimprove
theirbusinessprocessestorelookateverythingwithazeroattitudetoday!
103.
ClaresStory
IgrewupinthecityofLiverpool,UK,theyoungestoffive.Mylifesdreamwastobe
aballetdancerbutthatwasshortlivedaboutasshortasIturnedouttobewhich
is4feet10andthreequartersor1metre47centimetres!Unsureofwhatcareer
directiontotakeIfollowedtwoofmyeldersiblingsintothehospitalityindustry
whereIworkedinthefrontofhousesectionwithvarioushotelchains.
WorkinginhospitalitytookmetojobsinHollandandSwitzerlandandleftmewith
lifelongfriends.Afterninehappyandhardworkingyearsinhotels,itwasmy
doggeddeterminationtobecomefluentinDutchthatbecamemypassporttothe
corporateworldwhereIworkedfor13yearsasamanagerinPublishingand
InformationTechnology.
Theinternetboomandbustyearof2001ledmetoreconsidermypassionsinlife
andItransitionedintopeopledevelopment,workingfortwooftheUKsmost
prominentteamdevelopmentcompanies.Mycorporatecareer,thoughvery
successful,leftmelittletimetofindthatspecialpersoninmylifeanditwasin2002
thatImetmyMrRightatamusicfestivalintheUK.HeturnedouttobeAustralian,
thusbeganthenextadventure!
In2004IlefttheUKtosettleinAustralia,onthestunninglybeautifulSunshine
CoastofQueenslandwhereIsetupmybusinessChangeworks.Jason(MrRight)and
Imadeseveralattemptstoexpandourlittlefamilyoftwo(heandI!)butitwasntto
be,hencemygoaltohaveaglobalfamilyof20sponsoredchildrenbytheendof
2012.
Likemanyothers,Ihavehadmyshareofchallengesanabusiverelationshipinmy
teens,thementalscarsofwhichIcarriedfortoolongthedeathofbothparents
(2001and2005),andourstruggletohavechildren.Ihaveusedthesechallenges
andhowIlearnedtobouncebacktodevelopmyworkshopsonemotionalresilience
or,asIprefertocallit,Bouncebackability.
Mystoryhashappyendings,everynightbeforeIgotosleepIcountmyblessings
andlookforwardtoeachnewpageandeveryexcitingchapter!
89
YourFeedbackisappreciated
Myintentionforthisebookistoprovideyouwithabroadvarietyofstories,
metaphorsandrelatedmaterialtosupportyourpresentations,speeches,
workshops,lessonsandanykeycommunicationstaskandobjectivethatyou
have.
ThedegreetowhichIhavesucceededinmyintentionliesinyourresponses.
Iamkeentofindoutwhatvalueyouhavederivedfromthebook,how
practicalandinformativeyoufoundthestoriesandwhatelsewouldyoulike
toseeincluded?
Thereareacoupleofwaystogivemeyourfeedback:
OnmyASprinklingofMagicblogsite
http://asprinklingofmagic.wordpress.com
Directlytomyemailclare@asprinklingofmagic.com
Ifyouareveryhappywith101InspiringStoriesandMetaphorsforBusiness
andLifethenIwouldvalueandappreciateatestimonial,nomatterhow
short.Pleaseuseeitheroftheroutesabovetosharewithothershowithas
helpedyou.
Ifyouareinbusinessandinterestedindevelopingyourpeople,thenvisitmy
ChangeworkswebsiteandsignupformyjournalMakingChangeWork
www.changeworks.com.au
Thank you!
90

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101InspiringStoriesandMetaphorsforBusinessandLife

ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, OBSTACLESASOPPORTUNITIES, OPTIMISM ...................................................... 22

CLARITYOFCOMMUNICATION, CONSEQUENCESOFASSUMPTIONS, LATERAL THINKING........................ 23

CULTURE, GRATITUDE, VALUES .......................................................................................................... 26

ATTITUDE, CLARITYOFCOMMUNICATION, CULTURE........................................................................... 27

ACCEPTANCE, FINDINGTHEGIFTINTHE CHALLENGE ........................................................................... 28

ATTITUDE, CHOICE, RESILIENCE .......................................................................................................... 29

CULTURE, INNOVATION, LATERAL THINKING,TEAMWORK, VALUES ..................................................... 29

ACCEPTANCE, EMBRACINGDIVERSITY, PERSONALITYTYPE ................................................................. 30

OBSTACLESASOPPORTUNITIES, OPTIMISM , RESILIENCE ....................................................................... 31

PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE ................................................................................................................... 31

DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, LATERAL THINKING,LEADERSHIP, WISDOM................................................ 32

CHOICE, LEADERSHIP, LIVINGYOUR TRUTH, TAKINGRISKS................................................................. 33

ATTITUDE, CULTURE, INNOVATION, LATERAL THINKING ...................................................................... 33

ACCEPTANCE, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ............................................................................................. 34

ACCEPTANCE, LIVINGYOUR TRUTH ..................................................................................................... 34

CHALLENGINGTHESTATUSQUO, CHOICE, CULTURE ............................................................................ 35

INTEGRITY, VALUES ............................................................................................................................ 36

AWARENESS, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, TRUST................................................................................... 37

CHOICE, PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE ..................................................................................................... 38

INTEGRITY,LEADERSHIP, VALUES ....................................................................................................... 38

COURAGE, LEADERSHIP, WISDOM ........................................................................................................ 39

ATTITUDE, DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, FORGIVENESS, PERSONALITYTYPE ............................................ 40

ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, CULTURE, VISION........................................................................................... 41

INSPIRATION, LEADERSHIP, LIVINGYOUR TRUTH, VISION ..................................................................... 42

INTEGRITY,LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE, VALUES .................................................................................... 45

FORGIVENESS, LEADERSHIP, WISDOM .................................................................................................. 46

ACCOUNTABILITY, CHOICE, COURAGE ................................................................................................. 48

ATTITUDE, OPTIMISM , PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE ................................................................................. 48

ACCEPTANCE, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES,INTEGRITY ........................................................................... 49

LATERAL THINKING, WISDOM ............................................................................................................. 50

ATTITUDE, RESILIENCE, WISDOM ......................................................................................................... 50

TEAMWORK, VALUES .......................................................................................................................... 51

ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, COURAGE, TAKINGR ISKS, TEAMWORK, TRUST ................................................ 52

DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, VALUES, WISDOM ...................................................................................... 55

ACCOUNTABILITY,LIVINGYOUR TRUTH .............................................................................................. 56

ATTITUDE, PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE .................................................................................................. 56

CHALLENGINGTHESTATUSQUO, CULTURE ......................................................................................... 57

ACCEPTANCE, CULTURE,TEAMWORK, VALUES .................................................................................... 57

ATTITUDE, TEAMWORK ....................................................................................................................... 59

CONSEQUENCESOFASSUMPTIONS, PERCEPTION ................................................................................... 60

ACCOUNTABILITY, WISDOM ................................................................................................................ 60

DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, PRIORITISATION ......................................................................................... 61

CULTURE, GRATITUDE, TEAMWORK..................................................................................................... 63

ADAPTINGTOCHANGE, INNOVATION,INSPIRATION, LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE...................................... 63

COURAGE, INITIATIVE, LATERAL THINKING, WISDOM.......................................................................... 64

LEADERSHIP, PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE .............................................................................................. 65

CHALLENGINGTHESTATUSQUO, FINDINGTHE GIFTINTHE CHALLENGE, TAKINGRISKS...................... 66

ACCEPTANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY ......................................................................................................... 68

ATTITUDE, DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES, RESILIENCE .............................................................................. 68

EMBRACINGDIVERSITY,LATERAL THINKING, PERCEPTION.................................................................. 69

ATTITUDE, FORGIVENESS, PERCEPTION, VALUES .................................................................................. 70

CHALLENGINGTHESTATUSQUO, CULTURE ......................................................................................... 71

COURAGE, PERSISTENCE ...................................................................................................................... 71

INSPIRATION, LEADERSHIP ................................................................................................................... 72

PERCEPTION, PRIORITISATION .............................................................................................................. 73

INSPIRATION, VALUES, VISION ............................................................................................................. 74

PRIORITISATION, WISDOM ................................................................................................................... 74

GRATITUDE, DIFFERENTPERSPECTIVES ................................................................................................ 76

ACCEPTANCE, CONSEQUENCESOFASSUMPTIONS, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ........................................ 76

ATTITUDE, EMPOWERMENT, INSPIRATION, REFRAMINGCHALLENGES ................................................... 77

OPTIMISM, PERCEPTION ....................................................................................................................... 77

ACCEPTANCE, PERCEPTION .................................................................................................................. 79