Professionally, we work with people or meet people who act like different types of balls.
There is “the bowling ball person” that is designed to knock things over.
There is “the football person” who will travel far when handled correctly but otherwise will bounce erratically when they aren’t.
“Pool ball people” are made to be bounced around. Eventually, someone may see how to deploy them correctly to get the result that they want.
“Rubber ball people” are extremely flexible and are rarely heard
However, one type of ball needs to be handled carefully — crystal balls.
They are important and extremely fragile.
They are the people in your organization who are the core of its present and, with time, it’s future.
They need to be seen as fragile, not because they are delicate, but because they can be broken.
The break can occur because of mishandling, accidental or otherwise, where they become shattered.
Like flowers in a windstorm, they can be destroyed.
Often, their care and feeding require little more than a conversation an explanation that makes sense.
Often, they are not treated is precious and become damaged.
Like a friend, they should be listened to. You don’t always have to agree with them but they should be listened to.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2020
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a career and leadership coach who worked as a recruiter for more than 40 years. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with more than 1900 episodes, and is a member of The Forbes 
Coaches Council.
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