Be A Tomato.

Today's Marketing Cookie is about the delicate balance of versatility and flexibility.

Craig Claiborne once said, "The most versatile of vegetables is the tomato." He would know. Mr. Claiborne was a long-time food editor and restaurant critic for The New York Times, as well as the author of numerous cookbooks.

Miss Tomato, likely blushing at such adoration, would, even in her acceptance speech, continue to give others credit for the tastefulness of their collective recipe. Being versatile, as Miss Tomato has been so adorned, means she is always willing to serve in whatever role she is needed. She can work brilliantly out front, charming the audience with her vibrant colors. Or, she is more than willing to play a supporting role as the foundation on which others may stand, to further accentuate and elevate the specialized skills of her team members. She slices, she dices, and her flexible personality serves as a cherry on top. Mr. Claiborne was right to recognize her for her outstanding versatility.

What would the critics say about you?

Are you flexible? Are you willing to wear different hats, play different roles, and elevate your team? Would you be willing to manage the lights and work the curtains while your team members get the glory on center stage? Oh, you may be able to do many things, and being multifaceted is certainly a trait of versatility. However, being able to do it all doesn't mean you always should. When working in a team, the use of your strengths must complement all the other ingredients, and never overpower the palette. When you become as flexible and generous as the tomato, today's fortune will then be true about you as well, when it says, "Versatility is one of your outstanding traits."