A story is told of a group of suppliers were once given a tour of a mental hospital. During the tour, one of the visitors in the group, Bob, made some very insensitive and insulting remarks about the patients.

After the tour was completed, the visitors were introduced and met with various members of the mental hospital staff in the cafeteria.

Bob, the unkind visitor chatted with one of the security staff, Bill, a kind and wise ex-policeman.

“Are they all sick and crazy loonies in here then?” the insensitive and rude visitor asked.

“Only the ones who fail the test,” replied Bill.

“What is the test?” asked Bob.

Bill replied, “Well, we show them a bath filled with water, a large bucket, a large cup and a spoon. We then ask them what the quickest way to empty the water in the bath would be.”

The man said, “Oh, I see… that is pretty simple – the ‘normal one’ knows it’s the bucket, right?”

“No actually,” replied Bill. “The normal ones say pull out the plug. Should I see if there is a bed free for you?”

Who Needs Leadership development?

It is easy for leaders to get so caught up in seeing the weaknesses of others that they lose sight of their own development needs.

However, before we look to develop others, it is wise to do our own personal inventory. What personal leadership development gaps should you be filling?

My Leadership Lessons from this story:

1. Be careful with what you say. You cannot recall your words.

2. Do not be too quick to judge others.

3. Never assume that you are always the right solutions for a problem.

What other development leadership lessons do you learn from this story?

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