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