BLUF: today's post points you to a moving and powerful short article that teaches (at least) two important leadership lessons
Last year, one of the best books I read was a collection of non-fiction short stories by Gene Weingarten, who also writes the "Below the Beltway" column for the Washington Post. The book is called "Fiddler in the Subway", and is fantastic - Weingarten is a superb writer. He's humorous, engaging, and chooses topics that start along a certain path and often end at a very different place to where you may have thought. Even though this post only deals with one story in the book, I thoroughly recommend reading the whole book, which you can purchase via Amazon.com here.
The most moving story in the book to me was "Fatal Distraction". You can read it at the Washington Post here (although this doesn't include Weingarten's introduction that's in the book which adds another element to his telling of the story). The article is probably the most harrowing journalistic reporting/story I have ever read. Read it with someone you love or on your own, as it's sure to shake your composure as you go through it. The book, and especially this story were a great reminder to me of one of the most important leadership lessons I have learnt - that no one is infallible.
- Seek first to understand, and;
- No-one is infallible
Last year, one of the best books I read was a collection of non-fiction short stories by Gene Weingarten, who also writes the "Below the Beltway" column for the Washington Post. The book is called "Fiddler in the Subway", and is fantastic - Weingarten is a superb writer. He's humorous, engaging, and chooses topics that start along a certain path and often end at a very different place to where you may have thought. Even though this post only deals with one story in the book, I thoroughly recommend reading the whole book, which you can purchase via Amazon.com here.
The most moving story in the book to me was "Fatal Distraction". You can read it at the Washington Post here (although this doesn't include Weingarten's introduction that's in the book which adds another element to his telling of the story). The article is probably the most harrowing journalistic reporting/story I have ever read. Read it with someone you love or on your own, as it's sure to shake your composure as you go through it. The book, and especially this story were a great reminder to me of one of the most important leadership lessons I have learnt - that no one is infallible.
The story is multidimensional and portrays so many emotions. In addition to reminding me of infallibility, it's also a great reminder to seek first to understand. It's easy to jump to a reaction like, "what a terrible parent!". It takes great insight, vulnerability, and empathy to first ask "what could have caused this to happen?". This is a hallmark of Weingarten's writing, not to mention of great leaders.
I'll leave it with you and let you reflect on the story - any more description that I add won't do it justice, however, I'd love to hear your reactions and any other lessons you take away from reading it.
I'll leave it with you and let you reflect on the story - any more description that I add won't do it justice, however, I'd love to hear your reactions and any other lessons you take away from reading it.
