Avocado Toast
Even Mundane Moments are Opportunities
After a morning of chaos on the way to Peru (that’s another post), my dad and I were slowing down for a few minutes in the American Airlines Lounge at the DFW airport. We were in Terminal D enjoying burnt coffee and their infamous avocado toast.
The attendant walks by and notices that we were about to spill avocado all over the place and we start laughing a bit. Nady, a lounge attendant, comes back and tucks a bib into my shirt! We were rolling a bit. Then he found better seats close by and persuaded us to move … kind of in the way a nice pushy uncle offers you one more glass of wine.
The language barrier was strong, but the general respect and kindness we had for one another was clear. Nady was from Egypt, so I translated my comments on Google Translator to say, “thank you”. A conversation ensued over the next hour in-between his duties.
Nady came back and wrote a prayer of blessing over me in the American Airlines lounge! What started out as a few laughs ended in a meaningful interaction with a couple of men spanning two generations making sure our eyes were moist on a dry day.
Though many thoughts swirled in the moments after, there were two thoughts that stood out …
1.) Be Kind … Generously!
We can say thank you and move on. Or we can share the reasons why we are thankful and heap praise and encouragement on someone working hard. Kindness can go a long way to let someone know their hard work and attention to detail matters. Be kind, be attentive, and be generous with your praise of others even during a language barrier.
2.) Google Translator is like the SDI 2.0 Inventory.
Around 10 years ago, I was introduced to the SDI 2.0 Inventory (Core Strengths). Over the years, this tool has helped my intentions stay aligned with how my communication is received. That was a game changer. I can’t change the past, but I can intentionally lead and live with Relationship Intelligence (RQ) moving forward. Similarly to how generous, specific encouragement can cut to the heart and make motives clear, the SDI helps us know how to adjust our approach to honor the people we get to work with and do live with.
Many tools like DiSC, Working Genius, and 5 Voices, can be productive tools. But to help a leader learn to lead and adjust their approach with empathy, self-awareness, and social awareness, the SDI 2.0 is like a scalpel. If you knew me prior to the SDI, I was more appropriately described as a bull in China shop. Thank goodness for the SDI!
We never know when the opportunities to encourage someone will come about, but I encourage you to live out the prayer I pray over my kids. “Be brave and be courageous. See something and say something” … and sometimes what we want to see and say can be amplified by Google Translator (i.e. the SDI 2.0)
A few ways to engage the SDI 2.0:
Set up a refresh SDI Debrief Coaching session. It will be the best $200 you spend this summer.
Download the Core Strengths App and compare your results with your team.
Set up a session with you and your team to make sure you all are ready to dominate the rest of the year.
Be prepared for your next “Avocado Toast” moment …
