This past Friday, my 11-year-old daughter Amanda culminated from elementary school. Now I already think I’m not as smart as a 5th grader because I had no idea “culminate” was even a word until my son did the same 2 years ago. Apparently, graduating from elementary school is different than high school and college, or at least that’s what the word might suggest but I digress.
During the culmination ceremony, I had the most profound thought that maybe all of us – especially those of us working in organizations – need to be more like these young and talented 5th graders. The following are some of the greatest A’has I will take away from my daughter and her class of future leaders:
- Don’t procrastinate! Studying for an exam the last night before a test is a bad idea. This one seems to apply to just about every meeting I’ve ever had as well as the client deliverables I have prepared.
- Every day is a new day. One that offers a fresh start if your yesterday wasn’t so great as well as a new chance to implement a new idea or try a different approach on something that may not be working as you intend it.
- Don’t get into fights. Fights generally turn out bad for everyone involved, so we should try to be nice to everyone.
- Do more than what is asked of you. This one may be especially true for everyone whenever we find ourselves doing something we disagree with just to appease somebody.
- Don’t talk in class – or in meetings. As one student shared, we have a whole life to talk!
- Perseverance is key. Anyone can achieve their dreams if they simply work hard and stick with it.
- Leaving our beloved elementary school will be hard, which I take as a testament to many people’s challenge with transition, new jobs, etc. Jessica shared a mouthful with this one!
- One of the teachers even offered, “I’ve watched you all grow up before my eyes, and I feel confident sending you off to middle school because you are ready.” How cool would it be for all of our senior leaders to treat their people like students and prepare them or whatever comes next in their careers and life journeys?
And last but not least, I would be remiss if I didn’t share one of Amanda’s final thoughts for the year as shared by her teacher in her closing remarks. In a final paper about what she learned throughout the year not from a textbook, Amanda described her class as a family. What if everyone related to those they work with as a family? I can only imagine how we would relate to each other and what we could accomplish together!
