By Robert E. Quinn
I am fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to places around the world teaching the principles of positive leadership, and with each new place I visit, I gain a new perspective. As I walked along an Australian shoreline with a friend during one of these international trips, we noticed an aboriginal fishing with a throw net. We stood and watched for a time—it was beautiful. We felt compelled to approach him and start talking to him. He met our greeting with a very distant and guarded response. It was a response I have often seen when a white man approaches an aboriginal. The interface between the white culture and the aboriginal culture had been less than ideal.
Instead of reacting to his caution, we asked about the fish in his bucket. He said a few words explaining that they were bait fish. He used them to catch bigger fish and he pointed to two lines in the water. He cast his net and we expressed genuine appreciation for his skill. He seemed touched by that. Just then one of his lines started to move, he had a bite. He ran to it but the fish was gone. Then the other line started to move he ran to that one but again the fish was gone. We expected some disappointment. Instead there was enthusiasm. He said, “Those are the first two bites I have had all day. You fellas brought me good luck!” We continued to talk and he began to light up like a Christmas tree. He began to teach us about his fishing. We were fully engaged and so was he. As that relationship became more trusting, we all started to grow.
When trust goes up the quality of interaction elevates and learning follows. The involved people are pulled into the growth mindset. Consider another example. Read more »
