Thinking
Inside the Sandbox
(An excerpt taken from my latest e-book, Working with Children of All Ages)
By the time
we reach high school, there are some major changes happening. If puberty hasn't
hit you by now, it will soon. Second, as official "teenage children",
we are seeking those friendships that will later on end up defining who we are
and how we behave. High school years are exciting and can be critical.
Remember
what it was like when you met the person who would end up being a good friend
even after high school? Now begins the formation of your "circle of
friends" or what some may call a "clique." Cliques help mold us
into the people we are today. It is human nature to want to belong, it’s a
survival technique amongst animals, and gives us a sense of empowerment. When we are around people who we feel are
like us, can relate to use, and make us feel good about ourselves, it's like
having your own paparazzi. Stereotypical cliques in high school were: the
"smart ones" (they are called other names, for respect, we won't
speak ill of the highly, intellectual crowd),
the popular girls and guys, jocks, cheerleaders, and the loners. The
list goes on. The reality is that they grow up, get jobs, have families, and
end up working with us.
It is not a
far-fetched idea to relate high school to the workplace. They’re the same children,
but in adult form. Studies show that 43%
of workers say that there are cliques in their office. Doesn't it feel like
high school? The same group of people going out to eat lunch every day; the
same people are standing by the water cooler talking about another co-workers
outfit. Sounds like high school.
My mother
would always tell me, "If it grow up in you, it's going to be in you,"
Old habits die hard. So why be surprised that your boss is acting like a jerk?
Why wonder how could your co-worker spread gossip about others? Childlike
behavior still lives in us, it's just hiding behind the adult. Doesn't Walt
Disney base his success on the premise that there is a kid in all of us?
So, for the
purpose of being having to work with the bullies, backstabbers, liars,
"personal politicians," temper tantrum and other childlike behavior
exhibitors, let's start thinking that the workplace is the
"sandbox." Phase 1. Thinking Inside the Sandbox is
complete.
Now that we
have changed our thinking, it's time to talk about how to deal with the little
kiddies in the sandbox. Phase 2. Learn How to Play
To be continued...
