[BANDILYO Editorial 27July-02Aug 2014]
NOTHING beats the power of an action that
embodies what a person wants to convey to others.
A group of former
seminarians recalled what can be considered as one of their most embarrassing
moments. They were chatting inside the refectory, and continued chatting even
when they could visibly see a considerable amount of water spilled on the
floor. However, none of them took the initiative to get a mop to clean it up or
someone else could step on it and slip.
Upon seeing the
spilled water, their Spanish superior, without any ado or grumbling, quietly
went to the wash area, took a mop and wiped the water before their eyes.
They were dumbfounded.
And awkwardly continued chatting pretending they did not see what their
superior did.
That simple but
powerful gesture made a big impression on them that it was so etched in their
minds and hearts. They’ve just witnessed a simple action illustrating what leadership
by example truly means.
Wouldn’t it have
been easier—and expected, at the very least—for their superior to call their
attention and tell them to do the mopping themselves?
