“Wood – I’ve Found You a Seeker”

One of my favorite parts in the book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”, is when Harry is busted for flying his broomstick just after his class was instructed not to do so. Never mind that class bully Draco Malfoy took something that didn’t belong to him and flew it into the afternoon sky. And never mind that Harry took to his broomstick in an effort to retrieve the object and return it to its rightful owner. And never mind that Harry was successful. The bottom line is that Harry did what he shouldn’t have been doing, and when his teacher came back to the class and saw Harry in mid-flight he was caught in the act.

Harry was quickly escorted out of class by Professor McGonigal. Just what punishment would come of his rule-breaking?

Surprisingly, instead of a scolding Professor McGonigal introduces Harry to Oliver Wood, Captain of the Quidditch team (a sport in the Wizarding World played on high flying broomsticks). Approaching Oliver with a terrified Harry Potter, McGonigal said, “Wood, I’ve found you a Seeker” (A Seeker happens to be one of the most important positions on a Quidditch team; reserved for the quickest, fastest, and sure-handed flyers).

Harry wasn’t in trouble at all. In fact, quite the opposite…he was being made an integral part of the Quidditch team (something that never happens to first year students). Although Harry got it wrong by breaking a teacher’s instruction, he also got it right and showed his natural skill and raw aptitude for flying.

Further it was Professor McGonigal who “caught him in the act” of doing something wrong but also an action that show-cased his potential. Professor McGonigal’s response was one that gave encouragement to the giftedness that lay just beneath surface.

Everyday people around us, whether in the home, classroom, or in the workplace are playing by the rules; not wanting to get caught doing something they shouldn’t. They’re tip-toeing to live carefully within the lines of the practical and the “supposed to”. Yet in this space of safety little room is give for innovation and creativity, making it virtually impossible for anything remarkable to emerge.

As you go about your day, catch someone in the act of doing something unique, thoughtful, creative, and encourage them to pursue their raw talent. Chances are they had to break a few rules to do so, and we’ll all be glad they did.