New Wine for New Times

A story has long been told, in the writings of a first century physician named Luke, about the consequences of pouring NEW wine into OLD wineskins; or trying to patch an OLD garment with NEW cloth.

"The result," said the wise physician, "is that OLD wineskins will be burst open by the potent NEW wine." In the same way, a new patch sewn over a tear in an old garment only makes the tear worse, as it's never a perfect match.

The moral of Luke's story? Let me apply it to today.

Insisting that certain people adopt a "new and better way" of doing something can actually make a situation worse.

On the other hand, some people are so stuck in a rut, so bogged down in their old way of doing things that they would reject something NEW, even if it showed all the earmarks of bringing major improvements into their business and personal lives.

Without even trying a new method these types of individuals will insist, "The old is better!" And trying to convince or force them to except a different NEW way could be counterproductive. It just doesn't match their personality. But take note: it's anyone's personal choice to accept or dismiss a proven better way!

It saddens me when business owners and managers share their fears that they "would lose half" of their staff if they insisted they follow set procedures or abide by strict quality systems. These owner/managers seem to have resigned themselves to the OLD method—"business as usual"—even if that "business" isn't and hasn't been working for them.

I guess some people will just set themselves to ignore the pain rather than find a cure! I'm sure Luke the physician was very familiar with that method, back in the day!

Leadership, like a ship in the lead, faces opposing winds in order to make headway but knows how to change course when necessary.