Too Many Chefs Spoil the Soup

There’s the story of the husband and wife who are both gourmet cooks. The husband is planning a meal for dinner guests and the wife says, “Oh! That sounds good! And if you add XYZ, and make this sauce and prepare the vegetables this way… it will be fabulous!”  She even put all the ingredients on the counter to make it easier for him to prepare his meal.

When the meal was served, the guests raved.  But the wife was confused and upset with her husband because none of her suggestions were included.

Instead he said, “That was your meal.  This is my meal – this is what I wanted to make.”

How often do we want to change other people’s plans and ideas so they can do it our way?

Even if our way is better…more efficient, less costly, faster, more attractive, healthier …whatever!

Remember, there’s a fine line between collaborating and controlling; between adding value and getting in the way; between fixing things and depriving someone of learning a valuable lesson.

Next time you’re tempted to intervene, take over or make improvements…

Stop!  And ask yourself:  Whose “meal” is it?

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