The Princess and the Pea

Children’s story writer Hans Christian Andersen wrote this classic story about a prince who is in search of wife.  He cannot find a suitable partner anywhere.  One evening a guest knocks at the door.  A beautiful young woman asks to stay at the house, and the young prince is taken by her beauty.  His mother the queen, decides to test the quality of the girl, by placing a pea under her mattress.  The queen’s plan is that if the girl is of “princess” stock, her skin will be too sensitive to endure the discomfort of the small pea under her mattress.  Well, when morning comes, the sensitive girl proclaims she slept not a wink all night, even after piling 20 mattresses on top of each other.  She proclaimed her skin to be black and blue due to something being under her bed. 

Really?  So sensitive she could feel a pea under 20 mattresses? 

Are you, or do you know that someone like that princessw?  I am sure you do know her.  Well, don’t you be that princess.  Everyday you will be challenged by “peas” that have no lasting affect on the big picture.  You be given little problems to solve all day, every day.  You may be called into an unexpected meeting.  You may be given a last minute deadline.  Your child may get sick, and it is your turn to stay home.  The point is, don’t sweat the small stuff to the point that you are unable to focus on what is truly important at your job and in your life.

I have worked with and for the princess several times in my life, and they are truly annoying.  Everything bothers them to the point that they are ineffective.  The prince may be looking for a princess with skin so sensitive that she can’t sleep due a small pea under twenty mattresses, but I can assure you that your boss isn’t.  Your boss is looking for strong, flexible employees who can work under pressure, with very tough skin.

Are you the princess, or do you work with one?  If you are the princess, you need be aware of it and change that perspective starting today.  If you work with one, simply recognize it and work around him or her.

Tell me what you think!

Thanks,

Mike