Relax - Not Everything Is a 'Teachable Moment'.
- Ravi
- Jun 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 21
This cartoon nails a common office scenario, doesn't it? We've all been the guy on the left, genuinely inspired by a small moment, and we've definitely been the guy on the right, dreading another forced "leadership lesson."
When I drew this, I was thinking about the fine line between genuinely impactful leadership communication and... well, exhaustion. It highlights two key challenges:
Authenticity vs. Performance: The person on the left likely is genuinely seeing a leadership lesson in the barista's smile. But when every observation becomes a mandated "sharing moment," it can feel performative, especially to those who are simply trying to get through their day.
Over-analysis vs. Organic Learning: There's immense value in seeing leadership principles in everyday life. Great leaders often do this naturally. However, if this becomes prescriptive—where every team member is expected to extract and articulate a "lesson" from every interaction—it can stifle genuine connection and turn organic observations into tedious homework.
The real thought here is: When does inspiration become imposition? And how do leaders foster an environment where valuable insights are shared naturally, rather than turning every casual observation into a mandatory workshop topic?
Sometimes, a smile from the barista is just a nice moment, and that's okay too.
Over to you, Kaapi with Ravi readers!
Have you ever been the "leadership lesson guy" (or gal) in a team meeting? Or, more likely, the one ready to strangle them?
What's the most cringe-worthy "leadership lesson" you've ever had to endure, or even present?
How do you strike the balance between sharing valuable insights and avoiding "lesson fatigue" in your team?
Spill your coffee (and your thoughts!) in the comments below!
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