Leaders should assume positive intent in most cases. Often times we create untrue as well as unfair stories in our head about others. Last week in a blog post titled, “As a Leader I Hate That I Do This – How About You?” I talked about how we tend to create such stories from the smallest of things.

For example, your friend didn’t reply to your text last night so you create a story as to why. The story grows larger and more concerning as the night passes and as the morning sun comes up you are preparing to end your friendship. However, the next day you find out that her phone was stolen and she had no way of texting you back!

I love the following story which illustrates not only how kind people can be (in this case a little boy), but also highlights our need to be careful about jumping to conclusions.

Many years ago, a 10-year-old boy walked up to the counter of a soda shop and climbed onto a stool. He caught the eye of the waitress and asked, “How much is an ice cream sundae?”

“Fifty cents,” the waitress replied..

Leadership can be lonely. We have some unique challenges. Where do you go with your problems?

The following story might change your life as a leader if you seriously consider the message.

Once there was a young father who had been looking for work. A kind old man saw an opportunity to help him and asked if he would like to bring his tools and spend a few days working on repairing an old fence he had around his large property.

The young father had less than a productive first day. His old truck had broken down about two miles from the old man’s house, so he had to walk and was 45 minutes late. The hammer he brought had broke about half way through the day. And to make his troubles worse he had severely twisted his ankle towards the end of the day and could barely walk.