A little boy tugged on my sleeve after I had dismissed the kindergarten class for the day.

"Teacher, did you poop your pants?" he thankfully asked quietly.

I looked at him to see what would come next.

He continued, "Well, you're walking like this..." (he demonstrated my walk) "...My brother walks like you whenever he poops his pants!"

I was awaiting my first hip replacement as the joint had deteriorated to the point where I was walking around bone on bone, which explained my so-called "poopy" walk.

Clarify or mystify? From the little guy's perspective, the natural assumption was that because I was walking a certain way, I must have had an "accident." How often have you made assumptions without getting all the information? Stress can impact your ability to actively listen to the other person's explanation, since you may be wrapped up in your own "stuff" in your head.

When you transform your stress, you find that you are able to gain a new perspective which deepens learning, understanding and growth.

• Are there times when you reacted without getting all the facts?
• What happened when you stopped yourself from speaking out and asked for clarification?
• Have you noticed that when you are stressed you react as opposed to act?
• Has this affected your ability to communicate or lead?