I recently had a mild panic attack. It started with a simple order to print services for a 50cmX70cm print of our logo and some of our favorite phrases to give as a gift to our interns. I was excited about the project and getting to be a part of it…until I went to pick up the order. At that moment, I no longer wanted to be associated with it. Why? Well, I quickly learned that there was a communication breakdown between me asking for centimeters, and them assuming that I meant inches. What I picked up from the printer that day was almost as tall as I was!
I think there are quite a few take aways from this situation, here are the main ones for me:
1. Communication is key. In leadership, others need to know your expectations. If you don’t communicate them, you may have wanted centimeters and those you are leading may give you inches. Not because they want to be rebellious, but simply because they didn’t realize what you expected.
2. Things that we think are very small have huge impact when on a large scale. This goes for sin, as we similarly think one little sin is no big deal, and then we can look up and realize we have completely run in the opposite direction of where the Lord was leading. One centimeter to one inch doesn’t really seem all that different, but when there are 50 of them, it’s insurmountable! The opposite is true also, though. When we love someone, even if it is small, that can have a huge impact on their lives. It also can create a huge domino effect of serving others. As it is said, paying it forward.
I know there are tons of other things to learn from this experience. What is the biggest thing that you can learn today from the difference between a centimeter and an inch?