Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road, Piano Pedals, and Intentionality


When we get in our car to go somewhere, driving just comes naturally. We’ve been doing it for years, so we don’t have to think about every act, about how to do it. So when I drove in Australia a few years ago, driving on the “wrong” side of the road, with the steering wheel on the “wrong” side of the car, it felt strange. It didn’t come naturally. I had to think about every lane change, every turn.

This morning I had a similar experience. I’ve been playing piano since I was five, before my feet could even reach the pedals. Over the years piano has been a big part of my life, and playing it is as natural for me as breathing. I don’t have to think about how to work the pedals, or what notes to hit. This morning was different. I was playing at the Southview Prayer Breakfast, accompanying Sandy Johnson, who beautifully sang two songs. There was a very nice electric piano that Chaplain Mariya Marton had brought in. When I plugged in the pedal, I found that it didn’t work exactly right. Instead of pressing the pedal to sustain tones, it was sustaining the notes without being pressed, and pressing it had the opposite effect, killing the sound. So it was the exact opposite of how a pedal usually works. As I played, instead of letting the music flow naturally, I had to stop and think about every chord, and remember to lift the pedal when I normally would press it.

As I reflected on this experience, I thought about our work in leadership. Most of us as leaders have been doing this for years, and the things we do come naturally. I wonder, How long has it been since you stopped and thought about the things you do every day, the things that just seem to come naturally? Have you evaluated the things you do – why you do them? Is there a better way to do them, that would produce better results?

Called to Care Action

In Called to Lead, Section 2, review The Power of 3, found on page 53. This section talks about intentionality. Spend one day being intentionally aware of the things you are doing. Ask yourself, Why do I do this the way that I do? Is this the best way, or is there a better way to do it? Are there other things I could do that would help me model the kind of care we are called to show to our patients and our employees?

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