Noah-isms: “Everyone is Different”

Greetings.  It's Monday morning and the start of a brand new week filled with important challenges and possibilities.  A perfect time to take a fresh look at the people you work with, with a keen eye toward finding the special song in each of them.  Don't be fooled by their titles and job descriptions.  That's only one part of their unique story.  Instead, commit to discovering the most remarkable talents they possess.  Talents that can be brought to bear to deliver far greater value to the customers you serve.  Talents that are essential in driving the innovation required to improve top- and bottom-line performance.   

The power of this simple idea is a regular topic of conversation with our son Noah who, at the wise old age of ten, is fond of saying:  "Everyone is different and that's a really good thing."

"But what do you mean?" I ask, eager for additional guidance on the best ways to unlock the real genius in companies and organizations.

"Some kids are really good at playing a musical instrument," he continues.  "And some kids are really good at drawing.  Or speaking Spanish.  Or doing math.  Or playing soccer.  Or playing with their (Nintendo) DS's.  Or taking tests.  Or being quiet in class.  Or getting into trouble.  Or knowing about geography.  Or helping other kids with their work.  Or eating pizza.  Or asking really good questions.  Or watching too much television.  Or talking to friends."  All talents that matter in the right circumstances.

Unfortunately, most companies don't really know what all of their employees are good at.  Or what they are passionate about.  And because of this, they rarely live up to their full potential.  When all it takes is the simple commitment to sit down with each other–one on one–to talk about what we love doing, what ideas we have for making the organization better, and how we can contribute to its greater success.  And, while we're on the subject of the value of talking with colleagues, you might enjoy this picture of Noah and his classmates taken during the annual recorder concert at his elementary school.  Forty very different kids playing the exact same songs on the exact same instruments–with very different results. And, as you might have guessed, that's Noah in the orange shirt taking a short break from the music to work on one of his special gifts.

We win in business and in life by appreciating the differences in each other.  And using those differences to unlock even greater learning and value.  When was the last time you handed everyone a recorder?  Maybe it's time to discover a world of very different tunes that could be the key to your future success. 

Cheers!