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Friendship Quote by Susan Scott

“A friend who is a high-level executive, intimidating to many, recently promoted a courageous employee who walked into his office with a large bucket of sand and poured it on the rug. “What the hell are you doing?” demanded my friend. The employee replied, “I just figured I’d make it easier for you…” quote by Susan Scott
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““A friend who is a high-level executive, intimidating to many, recently promoted a courageous employee who walked into his office with a large bucket of sand and poured it on the rug. “What the hell are you doing?” demanded my friend. The employee replied, “I just figured I’d make it easier for you to bury your head in the sand on the topic I keep bringing up and you keep avoiding.” You””

Susan Scott

About This Quote

Source Anecdote: Business leadership story, 2020

A senior executive promoted an employee who used a bucket of sand to illustrate confronting avoidance, highlighting the need to face difficult topics directly.

In simple terms: Confront avoidance with bold actions.

Key Takeaway

Address uncomfortable issues head‑on.

Themes

leadership communication accountability

Mood

assertive thoughtful

Type

leadership inspirational

When to use this quote

  • team meetings
  • performance reviews
  • strategic planning
  • crisis management

Key Concepts

psychology conflict resolution organizational behavior

Questions to Reflect On

  • What avoidance do you see in your team?
  • How can you address it constructively?
A Different Perspective

Bold gestures can be misinterpreted or cause resistance.

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