This story is about the power of words. I have always loved the bottle brush tree. I remember as a child looking at it with pure amazement. How could a tree produce flowers that looked exactly like a bottlebrush? I knew that when I would get my first home, one of the first trees I would plant would be a bottlebrush tree. Fast forward to adult hood and my new home. First on the agenda was to buy my dream bottlebrush tree. I was so excited when I planted it in the front garden of the house, close to the main gate for all to see when it grew to its majestic glory.
My excitement was short lived however, because for some odd reason, some of the people I spoke to about my amazing bottlebrush tree, did not seem to have great things to say about it. I was told it was a terrible tree that would one day fall down and destroy my fence. I was asked if I did not think it would be too big for my garden. As I gushed about my love of the tree, others just did not get my fascination with it and quickly moved on to other topics. I was gutted. Was I the only one who saw the beauty in the bottlebrush tree? The interesting thing about words is that sometimes they can influence your thinking. Suddenly I went from loving my tree to regretting planting it. As I passed it in the garden, I would question my choice and wonder if what was being said had some truth to it. My attitude towards my tree changed and I no longer gave it the love and nurturing care that I had given it originally. Guess what, it must have felt the change in my attitude because a few months later, my lovely bottle brush tree dried up and was no more. Did my change in attitude do this to the tree?
Did it feel that I no longer loved it? I felt sad that I allowed other people’s words to influence my thoughts and actions.
In the work place, we sometimes allow people’s words to influence our opinions of others. I have come across managers who hate certain employees because of what others say about them. When I enquire what the employee has done to them, they have nothing to say, just what they have heard. As a manager take time to know your team. Do not just listen to the words of others; develop your own understanding and form your independent and just opinion of them. As the saying goes – “there are always two sides to every story”. Take the time to hear what the employee has to say before coming to your conclusion.
Oh yes, I did finally plant another bottlebrush tree. It stands tall and grand at the entrance to my home. The bottlebrushes hang proud from its branches swinging alongside the wind as a welcoming gesture.
