I used to recommend some people to others easily and often. Now I do it much more selectively and slowly. What was it like? For example: “Hey, Adam! I remember you were looking for X? I want you to meet Eve. Eve is a brilliant X, as I’ve had the opportunity to see many times over the years we’ve worked together.” Knowing Adam’s acute problem, Eva’s talent, and the adequacy of both of them, I was sure this would be a productive alliance. But I would later learn that they never managed to come to an agreement. To myself, I wondered, “Adam, how could you miss out on such a treasure as Eve? Why didn’t you, Eve, grasp with both hands the rare chance that Adam’s business offered?”
As time passed, getting feedback from both, I came to the conclusion that not everyone can recognize an uncut diamond in a mineral. Many people will shrug their shoulders in bewilderment: “Oh, it’s just plain glass. But a jeweler, gemologist, or diamond cutter just needs to take one look and freeze in admiration. In the skilful hands of a sculptor a lump of clay turns into an art object for the Venice Biennale, and the intuition of a serial entrepreneur allows at the bottom of an economic crisis to feel the pull that will create a billion-dollar business. I am sure that if the log had fallen into the hands of someone other than Master Cherry, generations of children around the world would not have read the wonderful tale of Pinocchio’s adventures, for someone would have simply fed the unusual log to their fireplace.
The possibilities hidden in people, as well as in circumstances, are not always obvious to everyone. Fate can persistently slip a chance under the nose, but a person will turn away, not being ready for it. The ability to take is more important than the ability to give. Nothing can be done about that until that skill matures. I have to admit the naivety of my assumption that an employee or contractor who has created a masterpiece for me in the past is bound to produce the same result on someone else’s brief. Today I do recommend people when there is a keen request to help and the parties fit together, but I accept in advance that their interaction will likely be different than mine.
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
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