Parkin's Parables

Short stories from my life that have helped me. I hope they help you too!

Since the release of my self-help memoir in 2023, a number of people have asked: what is next?

These stories are the initial outcome to that question. Perhaps one day they will end up as an appendices in an updated version of Yourself or Someone Like You.

In the meantime...enjoy!

The Bucket [On the other person’s struggles]

I worked as a Project Manager on a large local government project over the summer holidays in the early 2000s.

We were based at a school in Bisho, the legal capital of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Each project manager had a team of approximately 30 staff members to manage. The task was simple enough: electronic file data conversion. Take paper files, review what was in them, capture those details into a database, and document what wasn’t there. Simple, but time-consuming work.

Daily, then twice daily reporting soon indicated that the project was behind schedule. Management deemed the best way to address the shortfall was to have the teams arrive and start work early for a few days to catch up time.

It seemed to be an easy enough task.

I spoke to my team and everyone was keen, happy to arrive early and get stuck in. The additional incentive of having lunch provided (KFC – yes it was that stereotyped) added to the enthusiasm.

My assistant Project Manager had been a committed and reliable gent. So, when he arrived almost an hour later than the agreed start time, I was more than frustrated…I was pissed off.

It was not a good look. The leaders don’t arrive late.

I voiced my frustration, and he began to explain: “I’m really sorry sir, but I was the last person to use the bucket.”

‘The bucket?” I questioned…perplexed. “Yes sir. You see many of us have travelled interstate for this project, and we are staying in one small house in the informal settlement. It has running water but no shower. Only a basin. We take turns each morning, to use the bucket to clean ourselves. I was the last person who used it today. It allowed the other team members to get here on time. “

Perspective. There it was right there. His reality was beyond comprehension to me until he told me. He was being the leader! Sacrificing his own needs to enable his team to get to work on time.

How could I comprehend what else went on in his life outside of work?

How could I be frustrated or pissed off with him?

We can become so involved with our own lives and challenges that we forget that the people we interact with on a daily basis are fighting their own battles too.

Don’t forget it…don’t forget the bucket.