Infinity CXC

“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”

Eleanor Roosevelt said many things well, but this is one of my favorite Eleanorisms. And so apt for these times.

Leadership is not always about making smarter decisions. Empathy is an important aspect of leadership, too. This “soft skill,” as they call it, can’t necessarily be measured or tested, but you know it when you see it.

A master pencil artisan was finishing up his masterpiece: the best pencil he had ever crafted. As he gave it a final polish, he said:

“Pencil, I have 5 pieces of advice.

✅ You’ll do great things, but only if you let someone else hold you.

✅ Sharpening is going to be very painful, but you must endure it to be your best self.

✅ You have an eraser, so you can correct your mistakes, but some are harder to erase than others.

✅ You may look like a simple piece of wood. But remember, it’s what is inside you that counts.

✅ No matter the surface, you must leave your mark. Keep writing even when it gets rough.”

I love this allegory of being committed to one’s work.