Did You Salt Their Oats? Build Thirst in Those You Lead

Kevin, a business consultant, returned to his boyhood farm home to visit his father. Over coffee, he explained his strategic planning work.

“These principles really help leaders lead effectively,” Kevin told his dad with excitement. “But my clients are so slow to move on them.” His face clouded over momentarily. “They’re like the horses on our farm. I can lead them to water, but I can’t make them drink – and I just can’t figure out why.”

Kevin’s dad’s eyes twinkled. “Salt their oats,” he countered.

As a young boy, Kevin had often led the farm horses to the water trough after feeding them, only to find they wouldn’t drink. But when Kevin and his dad salted their oats, the horses drank easily and willingly. Salt tickled their palette and increased their thirst, where plain oats did not. And salt provided valuable minerals for healthy function. The appealing taste motivated the horses to drink more water to build their stamina and maintain their weight.

Kevin’s dad understood a first step in effective leadership. People must develop thirst (salted oats) before they are willing to change (plain oats).

Kevin had been giving his clients plain oats. But they needed salt – an increased understanding for the skills they would acquire, whether it was managing conflict, reestablishing alignment, restoring healthy relationships, or focusing on mission. Once their palette was tickled, they would be thirsty and drink.

You may understand what another person needs. Does he?

Salt his oats. Help him see his need. Then he will become eager to drink to become healthy and grow.