You cannot transmit what you do not have.

“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend the first six hours sharpening my axe.”

Many of you are familiar with this quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln. It is said to be a helpful metaphor to emphasize the importance of preparation.

I like this quote for two reasons. 1) I like sharpening axes. 2) It’s absurd. Who would sharpen an axe for six hours?

But it makes a great point! (see what I did there?)

For me, this metaphor isn’t just about preparation or planning. It’s about doing the inner work that we have to do to be better leaders, coaches, or clinicians.

It isn’t enough for me to have a head full of knowledge about how I should act as a leader. I also have to understand why I react to certain situations in the way that I do. I have to have some practices in place that allow me to see when I’m being subjective or objective.

If you’re a leader of other human beings, intelligence isn’t nearly enough! It requires a degree of emotional intelligence, and a set of values like patience, tolerance, forgiveness, and honesty.

And this requires a personal practice. You cannot transmit what you do not have.

To sharpen my axe, I have to consistently put in the work of sitting in meditation, staying fit, attending recovery meetings, working with my coach, studying the dharma, and studying psychology and human behavior.

While studying Buddhist Psychology, our teacher once told us, “You are the intervention.” How I show up. My energy. My presence. These things matter when working with others.

Am I doing the work I need to do to show up in a way that allows me to be the intervention?