I love to learn and read; it feeds my curiosity. I tend to rotate among fun novels, history/biography, leadership, and spirituality. Typically, I read at my leisure. The last year or so I have put aside time every day in my schedule for reading. I kept hearing that smart and successful people make it an integral part of their day, and it is right on the money. I learn something just every time I crack a book-even from the fiction. When I find a book that combines genres it is a double win. Currently I am reading a biography of one of the greatest Rabbi’s and Jewish teacher/philosopher/leaders of the 20th century. It is about the man that became known simply as “The Rebbe” (an honorary title of the Rabbi of Rabbi’s). He led the Orthodox Hasidic Lubavitcher movement. Yet he influenced Jewish and secular thinking and values way beyond religion. The book offers so much history and the man offered so much wisdom.
The pearl of wisdom that I read this morning is:
“For me, my Rebbe was the geologist of my soul…Your Rebbe can tell you where to dig, and what to dig for, but the digging you must do yourself.”
Rebbe Menachim Mendel Schneerson
Such a perfect description of the role of a teacher, leader or for me a coach. It is exactly the discussion I have with my coaching clients (though said far more poetically). We, as leaders, teachers, coaches, parents even friends, can only suggest. Each of us must do our own digging to learn of ourselves, to clarify our own values and reason and certainly to make any meaningful change. As an advisor or coach we also must appreciate our limitations with our clients. We cannot dig for them.
So, are we all digging every day ?