Ebenezer Scrooge offers a number of great lessons for all of us during his journey of reclamation through Christmases past, present and future in Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol.
In this particular exchange with the Spirit of Christmas Past, Scrooge remembers the kindness and humanity shown by his first boss, Fezziwig, and upon reflection, offers everyone responsible for supervising, managing or leading others some timeless and priceless advice:
The Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were pouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig: and when he had done so, said,
“Why! Is it not! He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?”
“It isn’t that,” said Scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter, self. “It isn’t that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count them up: what then? The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”
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Use Scrooge’s reminder in good health and effective leadership during this and all seasons!
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related post: Two Voices on The Words of a Leader (Art Petty and Mary Jo Asmus)
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