I once heard someone compare people and learning to cups. I thought it was an interesting comparison.

The cup with no bottom – This is the person for whom learning or knowledge just goes in one ear and out the other.

The upside-down cup – This person isn’t open to any new learning.

The dirty cup – The dirt represents preconceptions that contaminate any learning.

The full cup – This “know-it-all” isn’t open to anything different or new.

The empty cup – This person is completely open to learning and seeing the world in new ways.

We are all probably one of these cups at different times or different situations. For me personally, I find it fulfilling when something causes me to see the world in a different way. 

I have also learned that people have a tendency towards one of these cups. Our continuous improvement process here at Western States Envelope & Label is most successful when we have “empty cups” coming up with better and innovative ways to improve our processes. Thankfully, we have many “empty cups” in our organization helping us improve.  

Pledge to be that “empty cup.” The benefits are limitless.