Kids, a story for you.

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream." I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house." The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house“.

Isn't she proud of her both pots?

Indeed.. no doubt she is proud of her both pots. You know hero in this story always be elderly woman, IMHO. She is one the one who utilised the strength & weakness of her both pots and put them to a meaningful use.

Another great reading I got from this story is, sharing your thoughts and feeling to some one who can make difference to you.. which second pot did in her case, after 2 years. For knowing what she is up to, though 2 years is longer time, but she has not broken too much out of ashamedly during those years. Thats where importance of knowing oneself & receiving constant feedback on things you do (from the right people), makes difference to the way you live the life.

We as leaders should be able to give feedback, or at least ready to share feedback when need arises. That's the difference that leaders can make to their teams & society around.