Servant Leadership Workplace-Cathedral

Building a Cathedral

Once upon a time, there were three bricklayers. Each was working at the exact same task.

A visitor came by and asked, “What are you doing?”

The first bricklayer replied, “I’m laying bricks.”

The visitor asked the second bricklayer the same question.

“I’m putting up a wall,” he answered.

But when asked, “What are you doing?” the third bricklayer responded with pride in his voice:

“I’m building a cathedral.”

OK, like the story of President Kennedy and “helping to put a man on the moon,” this story is apocryphal, too.*

But it’s my other favorite illustration of what it means for someone to be connected to the company mission.

Servant-leaders help us see how our work is connected to something larger. They remind us that, although we may be laying bricks, we are also building a cathedral.

Indeed, connecting followers to the company mission – and keeping that connection strong – is a distinctive servant leadership practice.

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention. The visitor speaking with the bricklayers was the architect of the cathedral. He was looking for a new foreman. I wonder which bricklayer got the job . . .

What do you think?

What would you respond if someone in your workplace asked, “what are you doing?”

Let us know. Thanks!

__________________

* Enjoy our related post from last week: “Helping To Put a Man on the Moon”