"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means."

This was the Einstein quote of the day a couple days ago and I had reason to reference it yesterday in a discussion of those whose sole contribution to problem solving is telling others what they're doing wrong. I just wanted to stash this some place where I could find it in future discussions.

hwrnmnbsol has just posted one of my all-time favorite Tales from the Job Site, CHONNNGGG. I first read the story almost a decade ago and I still love it.

In high school, he went to a rival school and was my academic nemesis. I lost out to him all too often. It wasn't just in math or science -- one talent geniuses weren't uncommon and I could have taken comfort in being better than he in SOMETHING -- but math, science, literature, writing, history, and on and on...he was always winning the places I wanted. I'm sure he had no idea that I would mentally groan when he'd walk in the test room.

He didn't necessarily endear himself by turning up in my college freshman orientation group (ARGH!) and immediately dating the woman in the group with whom I'd bonded. He was sort of omnipresent. I doubt he was aware of how he'd thwarted me for years when we each still teenagers. Fortunately, I've mellowed over the years and now I can appreciate that, if I had to lose out to someone over and over and over and over and over (ok, I may still hold it against him a tiny bit), it was to someone who is brilliant.

And now, I want to go and get up to some stack mischief -- but you'll have to read the piece to get that. ;)