Humanise: Why Human-Centred Leadership is the Key to the 21st Century

CHAPTER 12 Making wise decisions: choosing well

‘There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts.'

MAHATMA GANDHI

The subtlety of a gift

A waterfront enforcer, who I would not want to meet on a dark night, approached as I kept watch by the gangplank. Striking up a conversation he suddenly, unexpectedly, handed me a brown envelope.

‘What's this?' I said, accepting it reflexively.

‘We've just passed the hat around. It's a little bit of help for you,' he replied.

‘Thanks,' I said, returning the envelope as if it was on fire, ‘but I don't need it. I'm okay'.

‘Don't worry,' he said, quietly and insistently pressing the envelope back into my hand. ‘We know you don't earn much money, and we always take up a collection for the apprentices.'

After only three months at sea I was surprised he was even aware of me.

‘Thanks for thinking of me,' I replied, playing another round of pass the parcel, while desperately trying to think of a way out of the physical and moral danger. This was a man I did not want to offend.

‘You're right,' I said. ‘I don't earn much money, but I don't spend much either. I live on the ship, so all my food and accommodation is free, and all my pay just goes straight in the bank.'

He held my gaze for a long moment and then slid the envelope into his jacket with a shrug. We never spoke of it again, although our paths often crossed. I had little doubt, however, that acceptance would have made that envelope ...