Do you have team members who resist the opportunity for refresher training? Or, maybe they fight learning new processes. Perhaps they aren’t interested in developing their professional skills. If that sounds like someone on your team, here’s an old tale meant just for them…
Once upon a time, a strong woodcutter asked for a job with a timber seller. The pay was good and so were the working conditions. He was so happy when he got the job! The woodcutter was determined to do his best.
His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed to work.
On his first day, the new woodcutter cut down 18 trees.
“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Keep up the great work!”
Very motivated by his success and the bosses positive feedback, the woodcutter tried even harder the next day, but he only cut down 16 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only cut down 12 trees. Day after day he was cutting fewer and fewer trees.
“I must be losing my strength,” the woodcutter thought. He went to his boss and apologized, saying he didn’t know why he wasn’t cutting down as many trees as he had earlier.
“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.
“Sharpen? I don’t have time to sharpen my axe! I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”
Sharpening one’s skills is just like the woodcutter’s axe. If we don’t take the time to learn the latest techniques, or a more efficient method, or how to properly use a new tool, we will be just like the woodcutter; working harder and harder for less and less return.
Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I send to my leadership team. They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and, hopefully, motivational. I hope you also find some meaning in them.
