A Story is Told

The old farmhouse was just as they’d dreamed it would be. A bit run down, but with great potential. Situated on acreage that could actually be farmed, located high on the prairie where the air was clear – it was a perfect place to raise a family.

And, there was a bonus! The sellers left some of their ‘odds and ends’ in the house, including a lovely framed painting on the living room wall. It wasn’t exactly what they would have chosen, had they been shopping for a specific painting to hang on the wall; but it wasn’t a bad painting. It was easy to leave it where had hung for many years. After all, there were other things on which to spend their money. Replacing the painting could wait.

After several years of good harvests, they decided to replace the painting hanging on the living room wall. Ever economical, they decided to see if the local second-hand shop might want to buy it. The store manager looked it over and suggested that they take it to the city and check with an actual art gallery.

The painting remained in the truck of the car for several more weeks before a trip to the city materialized. Finding an art gallery, they took the painting in and left it for evaluation. Several days later they received a phone call asking them to come back to the city to discuss the painting.

They learned that the painting that they had looked at, and yet never really seen, for so many years, was actually quite valuable. The gallery owner made them an offer, purchasing it for more than the family had paid for the entire farm.

It was a hidden treasure; hiding in plain sight.

As you look around your business, evaluating your team and their performance, what hidden treasures are hiding in plain sight for you? What stories are not being shared because the corporate culture does not encourage open communication? What can you do to take a fresh look at your organization, your team, your internal and external relationships? How can you elevate your message to influence your team to recognize the hidden treasures hiding in plain site?  What ‘hidden treasures’ are waiting for you.

Happy discovering.