Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons, often in the most unexpected ways. Take, for instance, the time our neighbor mistook CeCe’s beautiful decorative oriental bowl for a chicken bone discard bin.
The Moment
Our next-door neighbor and I love to watch college football together as we also enjoy food off the grill. This specific evening, we were having chicken wings as we sat in our den watching the game.
I placed a plate of spicy, hot-off-the-grill chicken wings on the coffee table, and he was literally mowing through them. None of us had really paid attention until his wife said, “What are you doing?! That’s not a bowl for your discarded chicken bones. That’s CeCe’s decorative bowl for the coffee table.”
As we all turned our eyes on the coffee table, there was CeCe’s beautiful oriental pink bowl stacked full of chicken bones! After a second of silence, laughter exploded in the room.
He responded, “I thought Joey put this on the table for the bones. I had no idea!”
No one could reply because we were still laughing so hard, including CeCe, thankfully.
What started as a hilarious misunderstanding turned into a story we still laugh about to this day. But beyond the laughter, this moment offers some surprisingly valuable lessons in leadership and life. Let’s dig in (pun intended).
1. Communicate Clearly
- The Lesson: Assumptions can lead to misunderstandings. Our neighbor assumed the bowl was meant for bones, but no one clarified its purpose. In leadership and life, clear communication prevents confusion and ensures everyone is on the same page.
- Takeaway: Don’t leave room for assumptions. Whether it’s a decorative bowl or a team project, set expectations up front.
2. Own Your Mistakes
- The Lesson: When the mistake was pointed out, our neighbor didn’t get defensive. Instead, he laughed along with us and owned up to the misunderstanding. This humility turned an embarrassing moment into a shared memory. Our neighbor’s willingness to laugh at himself made the situation even funnier and more endearing. Leaders who can laugh at themselves foster trust and relatability.
- Takeaway: Mistakes are inevitable. How you handle them — owning up, learning, and moving forward — defines your character. A little self-deprecation goes a long way. It shows humility and makes you more approachable.
3. Find Humor in the Chaos
- The Lesson: Instead of getting upset, CeCe joined in the laughter. Her ability to see the humor in the situation diffused tension and turned a potential conflict into a bonding moment.
- Takeaway: Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. A sense of humor can turn awkward moments into cherished memories.
4. Create Shared Experiences
- The Lesson: This story has become a part of our shared history, something we recount every time we enjoy chicken wings together. It’s a reminder of the power of shared experiences to build relationships. In the end, it wasn’t about the bowl or the bones — it was about the laughter, the camaraderie, and the joy of being together. These are the moments that matter most.
- Takeaway: Whether it’s a funny story, a team challenge, or a shared success, these moments create bonds that last a lifetime. Don’t get so caught up in the details that you miss the bigger picture. Cherish the moments that bring people together.
Final Thoughts:
Leadership and life are full of unexpected “chicken bone moments.” Whether it’s a decorative bowl mishap or a more serious challenge, the way we respond shapes the outcome. So, the next time you’re faced with a situation that could go either way, remember to communicate, adapt, laugh, and savor the moment. And maybe, just maybe, keep the decorative bowls out of reach during game night. His last comment was, I guess I’m going to relive this in a #beBetter blog post which I confirmed with a grin. Ha!
What’s your favorite “chicken bone moment?” Share it in the comments below — we’d love to laugh and learn with you!
“If you were to anticipate how strong a company’s culture needs to be to transform and thrive in the future, Joey Havens paints a beautiful horizon in his book Leading with Significance.” Daniel Burrus
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