Vive la Difference

I've spent some time recently thinking about the many different types of people we work with every day. Some are self conscious and shy, while others are confident and boisterous. Some are very mainstream, and others march to the beat of their own drum. Some have lots of experience and talent, and others are just starting out.

To quote Dr. Seuss, “Black fish, blue fish, old fish, new fish”, we have them all, and they all deserve respect. I'm not sure they always get it.

Some are laughed at behind their backs or chewed up in a rumor mill fueled more by opinion than fact. Some are mocked because their talent hasn't fully blossomed yet. Some are left out because they are different.

In many places today is “Anti-Bullying Day” at the local schools. The kids are dressed in pink and taking a stand. The lessons of respect and tolerance are being taught.

As leaders, we need to emulate that same attitude. The kids have it right, and as another great writer once said, “And a little child shall lead them”.