THE POWER OF SOUP

There’s nothing more nourishing and enjoyable on a cold day then a hot bowl of soup. So as we approach the holidays I’d like to introduce you to a different kind of SOUP. It’s not served in a bowl but in a book. And while it won’t nourish your stomach it will nourish your team and organization if read and implemented... some have even reported feeling warm inside after reading it. : ) In this spirit I wanted to share with you the introduction from SOUP and offer you a free Action Plan below.

Introduction

When I think of soup, I think of my grandmother. She loved to cook, and food and love were one and the same to her. When she cooked, she wasn’t just making a meal. She was pouring out the love in her heart and sharing this love with her family. When we ate her food, we loved her back. And no soup, no matter who made it, ever tasted as good as hers. Her love made the difference.

I’ve discovered that who stirs the pot has an impact on what’s in the pot. For example, did you know that some wine experts can determine the personality of a winemaker simply by tasting the wine? There is a common challenge experienced by chefs and restaurants I call the “stirring-the-pot phenomenon.” The challenge they face is consistency, because no matter how carefully different chefs follow the same recipe and do everything exactly the same way, the final product always varies a little bit. It seems we can’t separate who stirs the pot from what’s in the pot.

The same is true in business and in every aspect of life. Every day you are stirring the pot of life, and the most important ingredient you can put into your soup is you. Your love, optimism, trust, vision, communication, authenticity, appreciation, and passion make life delicious, and the relationships you create at work and at home determine the substance and quality of your soup.

The amount of love and energy we invest into our business, team, organization, and family determines the quality of it. The love we share in raising our children, developing employees, teaching students, coaching players, or servicing our customer impacts the outcome. The love, or lack of love, we give ourselves and share with others will determine whether life is sweet or sour. It determines the fabric and texture of our relationships and how others perceive and receive us. When we care about our customers, they feel it. When we stir the pot at work with optimism and passion, our customers and colleagues notice.

In my work with countless businesses, professional sports teams, hospitals, and school districts, I’ve seen firsthand how one person who grabs the spoon and decides to stir the pot can make a difference. One person who decides to bring out the best in others by sharing the best within themselves can transform teams and organizations.

My hope is that in reading SOUP you will decide to be that person—that by your example, you will lead your company, your team, your family, your classroom, your church, your hospital. That you will invest in others and create engaged relationships that foster teamwork and create a culture of greatness.

Soup is meant to be enjoyed together. So, let us read together, learn together, eat together, lead together, and create success together.

Have you and your team benefited from SOUP? Share your thoughts on our blog or Facebook page.

-Jon

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