“Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught.” — J.C. Watts
Happy Friday the 13th, Brew Nation!
It’s Friday the 13th today, and I am feeling a little bit “spicy.” Sometimes, airline travel brings out the spice! I might even offend a few people today, but that’s okay—Uncommon Leaders are more concerned with what is right than what is convenient.
I’ve been observing some behaviors lately that make my spirit sigh. It’s a category of life I like to call: “Just because you have the right to do it, doesn’t make it right.”
The Litmus Test: The Shopping Cart
You’ve likely seen the meme: A lone shopping cart sitting in the middle of a parking space. There is no law that says you have to put it back. You won’t get a ticket. But putting it back is the “right” thing to do for the next person.
Here are my thoughts on it, if I see you leave it there…..
- I’m going to give you ‘the look’. The same look I got from my mom across the room when I was behaving inappropriately. You know that ‘mom’ look! Haha.
- Then, I’m going to pray for myself that I won’t respond negatively, and I will pray for you.
- Then, I’m going to help you by moving the cart myself.
The Great Rationalization
Airline travel brings out some of my best thoughts as well! I trust the human race that our intentions aren’t bad, but you know the drill. There are some basic principles in air travel. Yet, so many violate those rules. We rationalize. We have a world-class lawyer living in our heads, ready to argue our case:
- “I’m in a huge hurry; I’ll miss my connection if I don’t push ahead in the aisle when the seat belt light goes out.”
- “That waiting line on the right side of the jet bridge is too long; I need to stand on the left where there’s more room.”
- “My legs will cramp if I have a bag under the seat in front of me, so I have to put both bags up high.” When we leave the cart, or block the jet bridge, or cut someone off in the aisle of a plane, it doesn’t make us a bad person. Selfish maybe, but not bad.
Rationalization is the art of making a selfish choice look like a logical one. But Uncommon Leadership requires us to fire that inner lawyer. We rationalize these because we think our “need” justifies the “nuisance” we cause others.
The Theology of Personal Freedom
In a devotion this week, Tony Dungy hit the nail on the head using 1 Corinthians 10:23-24:
“You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.”
Dungy noted that while we have free will, we must understand that everything we do is observed by others. Leaders, your small decisions influence others more than your big speeches. If you can’t lead yourself to put a shopping cart away because it’s “inconvenient,” how can you expect to lead an organization through a crisis?
Excellence isn’t a switch you flip; it’s a standard you live by when the “rational” choice is to take the easy way out.
Being a leader means recognizing that your integrity is built in the “invisible” moments. Anyone can lead when a microphone is in front of them, but Uncommon Leaders lead when they are walking through a rainy parking lot or sitting in row 24B. When you choose what is beneficial over what is merely convenient, you aren’t just moving a cart—you are training your brain to choose the hard right over the easy wrong. If you want to lead others to excellence, you have to stop negotiating with your own inner lawyer.
I want to hear from you. Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the subject line “OWN” and let me know: What is your “shopping cart” pet peeve? * What is the last thing you caught yourself rationalizing?
- Quote of the Week
“The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.” — John Wooden —
What you need to do:
Help Me Be a Better Person
My rant is over… for now. I’m working on my patience, but these “pet peeves” are often the best indicators of where our culture is sliding toward “Me-First” instead of “Others-First.”
I want to hear from you. Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com or comment below:
- What is your “shopping cart” pet peeve? * What is the last thing you caught yourself rationalizing? Let’s call each other up to a higher standard this week. Put the cart back. Stand to the right. And let’s be the kind of people who choose what is beneficial over what is merely convenient.
It’s an honor to be your trusted Friday Coffee Guy. Each week, I bring what I’m learning and living in the trenches of leadership. If this edition challenged or encouraged you, share it with someone who leads, stays faithful, or learns alongside you, then click subscribe. Let’s grow Brew Nation together!
Until next week—stay focused, stay considerate, and keep growing, Champions!
