“A person’s strength, when overused, or used inappropriately, becomes a weakness.” – so says Dr. John Geier, author of the original DiSC® Profile – Behavior Style.
The following parable offers a new perspective about strengths and weaknesses as they relate to DiSC® Profile’s
The Parable of the Cracked Pot
A water carrier hung two large pots across his neck to carry water to his master.
One of the pots was perfect! It performed flawlessly, and always delivered a full portion of water to his master. The second pot, on the other hand, had a crack in it. Everyday, at the end of a long walk, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
This went on for two full years, with the carrier being able to deliver only one and a half pots full of water to his master’s house.
The “perfect pot” was feeling proud and puffed up because of its accomplishment . . . always delivering its full portion . . . perfect performance for what it was made. (Can you guess this DiSC® Profile – Behavior Style?) – (the words in italics will give you some clues.)
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection. It was miserable and sad that it was able to accomplish only half of what it was made to do.
After two years of feeling a bitter failure, one day by the stream, the cracked pot spoke to the water carrier.
“Oh Water Carrier . . . I am so ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you (Can you guess this DiSC® Profile Behavior Style?)
“Why?” asked the carrier . . . “What are you ashamed of?”
Because of this crack in my side, I’ve only been able to deliver half of my load. For the past two years, I’ve leaked water all the way back to your Master’s house. You do all this work, and because of my flaws, you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.
The water carrier felt sorry for the old cracked pot. With deep compassion he said, “When we return to the Master’s house today, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”
As they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took note of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path. The beautiful site cheered the old cracked pot somewhat, but at the end of the path, it still felt bad because once again, it had leaked out half of its load . . . and so again, it apologized to the carrier for its failure.
The carrier said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side?
I have always known about your flaw, so I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two full years, I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table.
Understanding Your DiSC® Profile
Without you being just the way you are, (your DiSC® Profile, Behavior Style) my master would not have been able to enjoy this beauty that graced his home.”
The moral of this story… Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.
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