There’s an old adage: In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.  It comes from the 1500’s and the proverbs of a gentleman named Erasmus.  (Actually, it originated in Latin: in regione caecorum rex est luscus). It suggests that individuals who have a less-than-perfect set of circumstances can still be held in high regard because of their elevated status (when compared to the rest of us). 

My wife and I were talking the other day about a man we know who aspires to a new career, after serving as a luxury hospitality bartender. He’s considering the option of becoming a wine steward, and ultimately, a certified sommelier. Nancy suggested that after serving in a high-end establishment, he might find himself as a sommelier in a dive bar.  A dive bar sommelier. I loved that. 

In any environment, any career, any situation, we all might find ourselves in that position.  No matter the field of interest, there are positions below our current status.  And with the wealth of knowledge we have amassed through the years, we find ourselves looking for work, and willing to accept a position that previously might have seemed beneath our station. We find ourselves becoming dive bar sommeliers.  And oddly enough, we should be good with that.

We have opportunities throughout our lives to exude excellence. If you’re an amazing cook, you carry that with you whether you’re preparing Beef Wellington or macaroni and cheese. My Best Man at my wedding (43 years ago) works as a pattern maker, shaping wood to within tolerances of 1/128 of an inch. He also makes cabinets, which, truth be told, don’t have to be NEARLY so precise.  And the furniture he creates is (as you might imagine) flawless.  Do all furniture makers have his level of precision?  No.  But is he capable of insanely beautiful work, even when it doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect? Absolutely.

We should take lessons from those who bring true craftsmanship to our lives. Whether it’s their ability to orchestrate a team, build a defensible schedule, fix the plumbing or change the oil in our cars, we should seek out our dive bar sommeliers. By encouraging and acknowledging their excellence, we have the chance to improve ourselves and at the same time grant them the credit they so richly deserve.

Try it today. When you see anyone excelling at their craft, from parenthood to financial wizardry, laud them. Let them know that they make it look easy (even when it’s anything but). And realize for a moment the joy in outclassing one’s craft. You’re not just good at it. You’re Erasmus’ one-eyed man. You are making the perfect selections as a dive bar sommelier.

Carl Pritchard, PMP, PMI-RMP, is a trainer, lecturer, author, Dad, dishwasher, cook, radio personality, drystack stone wall builder, dog walker and husband. He welcomes your comments and insights at carl@carlpritchard.com