Daily Mood Quote
Day 15 – May 19, 2011
“A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.”
~ Unknown
I recently attended a school function that left me feeling... disappointed. My first interaction was listening to the coordinator of the event (and I use that term loosely) “tell”, not ask the teenagers who were manning the table to “Make sure you grab the money.” she also chastised the teens about the people who were already admitted and did not pay, who knew? This was a teacher sponsored event through the school (I think), that was poorly promoted and therefore no one knew it was a paid event. Many people walking in to support their children, or friends of their children, were taken by surprise at the cost. Even earlier conversations with the participants didn't reveal that there was a charge. They had received an information sheet about this event and even some of that information was incorrect. Yes, it was on a webpage, buried three miles deep, on an obscure sub-site, no one ever goes too. The main high school site carried no information about the event, or the cost, whatsoever. After leaving the event, my honest feelings regarding this, “Folks paid top dollar for a half-hearted effort” by the staff coordinators. It is sad that this has become acceptable, the kids deserve better.
My life lessons have arrived via multiple avenues. Such as accidental role models, an occasional good movie, or sometimes in a book. I like the ladder analogy, with every step comes experience, with every experience comes the lessons right, wrong and maybe I'll understand later. The point is that adults who have climbed that ladder need to pass along the good from each rung and discern what steps they should not let others take. Here's what the kids learned yesterday from their teacher sponsor. Don't be upfront about costs. Sloppy work is OK, because it's all about grabbing the money. And if a customer disagrees with you, get aggressive, defensive and argumentative. I can't see those as positive steps in those children's life ladder. Do you? Great job!!
Crosby Stills, Nash and Young sang “Teach your children well...” and in today's hyper-fast, slap-dash world, I see less and less of that. It seems as if we have forgotten the basic lessons that have carried humanity forward for the past two millennia. My husband chose to simply walk away and get some space, rather than engage in an argument with this teacher over something so trivial. Neither did he, or I accept, or capitulate to her belligerent attitude. Ladder lesson: You don’t have to accept substandard behavior, products, or services “just because”. In the end, my daughter who is a quick wit and shrewd negotiator, got us in at no charge, as she rapidly pointed out the errors and stood toe-to-toe in a positive manner with this person. Ladder lesson: Always stand up for what you know is right. Sometimes the ladder steps we occasionally forget are the ones our children use to teach us. I am very proud of her.
No movie quote today, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young said it best, “Teach your children well... and you of tender years... teach your parents well.”
What will you teach and what lessons will you learn today?
Tune in tomorrow to read the daily mood quote
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