Working with a Bunch of Crackpots?

How can you boost productivity and morale if you’re working with a bunch of crack pots?

Here’s a story that can help.  It came from Kim, a long time Business Class subscriber. I’m not sure of it’s origin.  Apparently it’s one of those handed down through the ages.

There once was a person who went to fetch water each day with two large pots, hanging on opposite ends of a pole. carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it. The other one was perfect.

crack pot - cropped-small

At the end of the daily walk from the stream to the house, the perfect pot was always full of water, the cracked pot only half full.

The cracked pot was ashamed that it could only deliver half of what the perfect pot did. After two years of this and feeling like a failure, the cracked pot apologized. “I am ashamed. Because of my flaws, you don’t get full value from me.”

The wise water carrier said, “Did you notice? There are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other side. Knowing about your flaw, I planted flower seeds on your side. When we walk from the stream each day, you water them. I enjoy their beauty each day on the path and in the house, whenever I pick some to take inside. That couldn’t happen without you.”

We are all cracked pots – each with our own unique flaws. But these cracks and flaws can make our lives very interesting and rewarding – IF each of us can accept ourselves and each other for what we are, and look for the good in them.

A nice reminder that the crack pots in our world are and can be even more than we’ve cracked them up to be.

Related:  Quote of the Week about Crack Pots

FOR INSIDERS:

Somewhat Related (similar situation;different metaphor)

original copyright 2009 – Business Class Inc

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all looked to nurture the crack in our own pots as well as doing the same for others. Sounds perfect!

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