Three Minute Leadership: How Do Your Pour Your Cup of Tea?
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
I was struck this week by a quote that Philip Humbert, author and motivational speaker, shared in a recent article, Measure and Celebrate Your Success. It is a wonderful reminder that helps us to reflect on the impact of the great leader’s actions, attitudes and behaviors on the perceptions of others. It is an old Japanese proverb: “The way you pour a cup of tea is the way you do everything.” As the tea ceremony is sacred in the Japanese tradition, how it is performed – its strict adherence to style, form and ceremony – provides rich insights into the values and character of the person performing the act.
The words, “the way you pour a cup of tea,” create a strong and powerful sense of personal accountability and responsibility. They bring a profound understanding that we own what we do, who we are and that there are consequences to what we choose to be and do or not be and do – each and every day. Michael Armstrong wrote: “The ancient Romans had a tradition: whenever one of their engineers constructed an arch, as the capstone was hoisted into place, the engineer assumed accountability for his work in the most profound way possible: he stood under the arch.” The brick that we lay today will be part of the final edifice we build in tribute to our life’s journey.
As Denis Waitley reminds us: “Life is not accountable to us. We are accountable to life.” May your tea ceremony grow in its beauty and magnificence. Teach others the fine art and beauty of the ceremony that they, too, will embrace with excitement and passion their individual accountability and responsibility in all that they do. May you build extraordinary structures that attest to your incredible talents and your love and passion for life and the growth of others whom you serve. Be more than you ever dreamed you could be. Life is so very beautiful!
Have a beautiful day and an incredible week!!!
Mike
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