Which way…

I was driving with my wife last weekend.  Got lost – turned the wrong way.  As she was helping me get back on the right course I asked her why she didn’t proactively tell me where to turn.  She said she thought I knew where I was going.  I suggested, after 52 years of marriage, she should probably know better.  I mean this could be my motto:

I’m lost; but I’m making good time.

                   Unknown Sage

Women helping men with directions is almost legendary, true?  Whether we’re in management or a staff person, the story repeats itself frequently:

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, “Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am.” 

The woman below replied, “You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude.” 

“You must be an engineer”, said the balloonist.  “I am”, replied the woman, “How did you know”? 

“Well”, answered the balloonist, “everything you told me is, technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip.” 

The woman below responded, “You must be in Management.”  “I am”, replied the balloonist, “but how did you know”? 

“Well”, said the woman, you don't know where you are or where you're going.   You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air.  You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault.”                                 

Unknown Sage

Men get lost all the time; on land, in the air, and even at sea:

Admiral Arleigh 'Thirty-one Knot' Burke…

During World War II Burke mistakenly led his destroyer squadron into a Japanese minefield.  Admiral Halsey radioed to ask Burke what he was doing in a Japanese minefield.  'Thirty-one knots', Burke replied.

Jean Edward Smith

And yes, for those of you thinking I could just use GPS… my loathing of the machines is well documented.  I will eventually find my way.  Besides, have you noticed the majority of GPS voices are female?

GAP

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.