About a year ago I wanted to go see a movie. I was planning on seeing the movie by myself [I do that a few times a year…I know, it’s weird]. There was a guy I knew who was needing some friends and had been wanting to hang out, so I called him and asked him if he wanted to meet me at the theater.
So he asked me to drive 45 minutes out of my way to come pick him up.
That wasn’t going to work. I didn’t have that kind of time and, besides, if the guy wants to hang out he’ll find a way to meet me half way rather than having me meet him all the way. I told him ‘No’ and then he got frustrated with me, as though I had done something to offend him.
Before I got ready to leave for the theater, another friend of mine called. He asked me what I was doing and I told him I was going to a movie.
He said, “My wife and I are just finishing up shopping. Mind if we come to the movie with you?”
I told him I was just getting ready to leave and he added: “We can drive through the city and pick you up.”
That about summed it up.
And we had a wonderful time at the movies.
In thinking about those two friends, I began thinking about myself. Am I the kind of person who is always asking people to come my way, or am I the one willing to pick others up along the way?
It also made me think about who I am investing in and the kind of people they are becoming. In leadership we have limited time to invest in people. Are we investing in those who are always asking for more or are we investing in those who are wanting to give more?
