Wading In
Yaaay, my buddy Mark helped me to change my weblog to the desired title. Speak of faithfulness as a friend, for taking me by the hand into this adventure. I look at his Open Hands blog and I marvel at the way he’s been able to keep it updated in the midst of all that he has to do.
Fresh on my first day back at work from Stanford, I frantically catch up on office matters, especially HR-related ones. Briefing me about our plans to do a year end staff retreat for our modest office of 30 staffers, my HR exec gives me all the reasons why it is not a good idea- poor interest, work schedules, etc, and I react with a “I am not sure that you yourself are convinced as to why we need this retreat”, and went on to talk about next steps.
Later that evening, she came to my room in tears to clarify matters, saying that on the contrary, she had been pretty excited about the prospect and had been eagerly checking out venues. I had done her a great injustice in jumping to that earlier conclusion, and so apologised profusely. I was glad that she decided to clear the air with me, rather than let it fester. Reflecting on it, I wondered what had gotten over me. This was not my usual self. I am known as the nurturing mother hen in the office, mindful that “the teaching of kindness is (or should be) on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:26). What got into me? Was that one week in Stanford so instrumental in causing me to adjust my leadership style? What mattered was that I had hurt a staff, unjustifiably, by my (unusually) quick tongue. That certainly was not Christ-like, whatever the source of that unfounded comment. Indeed, “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21). Long may I remember that, Lord.
Humble perspective and bold to communicate your frailties. Thanks. My words sometimes are not beneficial to all either. Best to cut it off at the source when it occurs, as you did today.
markpetersen
June 22, 2007