An American professor had made a lifetime’s study of the Japanese tea ceremony.
One day, he heard about an old man living in Japan who was a master of the tea ceremony. He decided to go to Japan to meet him.
The master lived in a small house on the outskirts of Tokyo.
They sat down to have tea together.
The professor immediately started taking at great length about his studies. He told the master how excited he was to share his learning. He talked about the various schools, what his interpretation was, and the symbolism in each movement.
The old man said nothing and started to pour tea into the professor’s cup. While the professor talked, the old man continued to pour the tea. The cup was filled to the brim but the old man kept pouring. The tea overflowed and spilled down the sides of the cup.
“Stop!” yelled the professor. “Are you mad? You can’t fit any more tea in that cup. It’s full!”
“I was just practicing,” replied the old man, “for the task of adding to a mind that is already full.”
True Leaders know that even when they are experts in a topic, they can always learn more.
