"I'm not sure it's worth proceeding with the service - might we do better to go back to our warm homes and a hot drink?.." asks the clergyman, inviting a mutually helpful reaction from his audience of one.
"Well, I'm just a simple farmer," says the old crofter, "But when I go to feed my herd, and if only one beast turns up, I sure don't leave it hungry."
So the clergyman, feeling somewhat ashamed, delivers his service - all the bells and whistles, hymns and readings, lasting a good couple of hours - finishing proudly with the fresh observation that no matter how small the need, our duty remains. And he thanks the old farmer for the lesson he has learned.
"Was that okay?" asks the clergyman, as the two set off home.
"Well I'm just a simple farmer," says the old crofter, "But when I go to feed my herd, and if only one beast turns up, I sure don't force it to eat what I brought for the whole herd..."
What a simple way to prove the importance of being always watchful and adaptable? While our duty remains to be the best regardless of the level of need, we also have the additional responsibility to ensure that we adapt our delivery according to the requirements of our audience.
For instance, you should not sit and draw out scores of Pivot tables and Charts on Financial Ratios of your company, if you are just preparing a project profitability report. Be clear on what you are currently working on, and what will suit the audience. By doing just that, you will present a much better deliverable, and also can be sure of focusing your efforts and hard work only on the really required, worthwhile deliverables.
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