Diversity lessons from the bowling alley
Anthony P W Wachira
?? Global Executive Coach | Leadership & Performance Strategist | Organizational Culture & Change Expert | Speaker & Corporate MC | Helping Leaders & Teams Unlock Their X-Factor for High-Impact Results
I went bowling last week with three generations of my family - children, their parents, and grandparents. The mission, a family evening outing. My family has regular and novice bowlers. Our kids, between three and ten years old were out for a good time, the adults, winning and some fun.
And it began. The kids and learners had bumpers on to prevent rogue balls from going to the gutters coaxing them to stay in the bowling lane. Yes, if you have never bowled, there are gutters and they are party poopers especially for newbies and kids.
It was amazing how different generations can get along with a little effort and focus. The grandparents, novice bowlers and not very good, showed a willingness to participate and great sportsmanship. They cheered and high fived everyone unconditionally, whether the throw was a hit or miss.
The young parents, including yours truly, were in competition mode. I almost won, by the way, coming in a close second – twice. Between throws, we had to watch our children, help them bowl and keep them engaged. The kids, well, were just kids; distracted, playful, inattentive, needy, etc., but we had a ball. We left the bowling alley a happy lot; winners, losers, novices, and kids, one team – a family - mission fulfilled.
When a team accommodates its members' differences, weaknesses, age, and special needs, everybody wins.
Family provides a platform for us to practice cross generational people skills like collaboration, communication, tolerance, and creativity. These are transferable life skills. Diversity is part of the 21st century workplace. We all have opportunities to embrace generational tolerance and successful collaboration outside the workplace. Let’s embrace it and develop this imperative skills.
How else are you developing your 21st century skills? Please share your story.
#awachira #lifeskills #family #nextgen
Grants Manager | Donor Funding Compliance Advisory and Monitoring | Capacity Building | Non-profit Business Systems Assessment | Budget Development & Management Donor Reporting
4 年Wonderful heartwarming lessons
Chief Executive Officer |Transformational Leader | FMCG Expert| Strategy Execution | Revenue Growth | Market Expansion | Change Management | New Business Development
4 年This is an amazing example of learning from each other. Besides our biological family, we have a work family which is even more diverse. We can definitely learn from the biological family and apply those learnings at work.
C-Level Executive Leadership Coach | Master Coach for Coaches | Board-Level Coach | ICF-Master Certified Coach (MCC) | Former President, ICF-Kenya Chapter | Executive Leadership Trainer
4 年You raise some good points. Family is an education in itself. It can help prepare us for the other relationships outside.
Entrepreneur, Academic with private and public sector senior leadership experience | Destination Marketing | Tourism Product Dev & Strategy using technology | Strategic Partnerships | Behaviour Change Communication
4 年An interesting look at diversity from the family lens. Good read.
Chef and Outside Events Catering | Culinary Artist | Food and Beverage Hygiene | Hospitality | Customer Service
4 年What a nice family story. Learning can happen almost everywhere.