Teachable moments #40 - Give Grace: Because One Day, You’ll Need It Too

We live in a fast-paced, high-pressure world. Especially in Singapore, where efficiency is everything — deadlines are tight, standards are high, and expectations never seem to stop growing.

And in the middle of all that, it’s easy to become impatient.
Impatient with the colleague who missed a detail.
Frustrated with the service staff who got your order wrong.
Annoyed with a friend who hasn’t replied in days.
Disappointed in someone who let you down — again.

We expect others to show up at 100%, all the time. But here’s the thing: no one can.
Not even you. Not even me.

Everyone Is Carrying Something

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as I grew older — both in work and in life — is this:

Everyone is going through something you cannot see.

Maybe your colleague didn’t forget that task because they’re careless — maybe they’re caring for an elderly parent at night.
Maybe that barista who seems distracted just got a call with bad news.
Maybe that friend who’s distant is trying their best just to keep it together.

Life is not always as it appears on the outside.

And when we respond only with judgement or frustration, we forget that behind every mistake, delay or shortcoming — there’s a human being.

Grace Is Not Weakness

Giving grace doesn’t mean you let people off the hook.
It doesn’t mean you tolerate poor behaviour, or ignore accountability.

It means you offer understanding before jumping to conclusions.
It means you lead with empathy, especially when the facts aren’t clear.
It means you hold space for others to be human — just like you are.

Because one day, you’ll be the one who drops the ball.
You’ll be the one who’s overwhelmed, exhausted, or simply not at your best.
And when that day comes, you’ll hope that the people around you choose to give you grace, too.

A Personal Reminder

I remember a time when I was juggling work, side education, and a family health scare — all at once.
I was trying to stay strong, but truthfully, I was falling apart inside. I missed deadlines, forgot things, and kept my replies short.

What stayed with me wasn’t the pressure or the pain — it was the quiet kindness of my leader who said, “Hey, it's ok, go settle what needs your attention. We've got you.”

That moment reminded me: grace can be powerful.
Not loud. Not dramatic. Just quietly life-giving.

So What Can We Do?

• Pause before reacting. Ask, “Could there be something I don’t know?”

• Lead with compassion, not assumption.

• Extend the same grace to others that you’d hope to receive.

• Set boundaries, yes — but with kindness.

In the End

We’re all trying. We’re all stumbling. We’re all human.

So let’s not just demand perfection from others while excusing our own struggles.
Let’s create a culture — at work, at home, in society — where it’s okay to need help. Where it’s okay to fall short sometimes.

Because one day, you’ll need someone’s patience.
Someone’s kindness.
Someone’s grace.

And the grace you give today might just find its way back to you when you need it most.