Everything I Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten
Robert Fulghum had it right, everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten. He published the lovely book, “All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten” in 1986. It was a collection of essays on ideas learned in kindergarten, still relevant as an adult. His lessons included “Play fair, Put things back where you found them, Say you are sorry when you hurt someone, and Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.”
Early in Covid social distancing I remember thinking “Everyone has cooties.” In kindergarten, when we played “cooties,” someone was “infected” and tried to tag you. If tagged, you then had cooties and could give it to others. In the Covid version of cooties, everyone is a potential infector, and we are reminded to wash our hands. This reminded me how many kindergarten lessons are relevant for this time.
Find your seat
In kindergarten, the teacher would say “Find your seat.” This signaled: sit down and listen to what comes next. In the Covid world, it means finding your home workspace. What props go on the wall behind you and on your bookshelf for web-camera meetings? Do you have enough bandwidth? Do you upgrade cameras, lighting or microphones? Do you paint the room a different color or get a more comfortable chair? How could you create a space to be productive? Until each family member “found their seat,” it was tough to focus on what came next.
What comes next: the schedule
Kindergarten teachers have a visible schedule to show students what they will do next.
As much as people wish for the calendar to change to 2021, not much will be different January 1, or the months that follow. We entered Covid thinking it would be a six-week stay-in-place. Decisions were made with this temporary mindset. Seven months later, we recognize we will be here for some time. Some companies have embraced this, changed their mindset and given employees flexibility to choose quality of life options.
Instead of “tolerating” our circumstances, now is the time to explore with your employees what the next several months could look like. This is the perfect time for a virtual offsite. Reflect on what has been going well. Explore where you’ve been slow to make decisions and feel challenged. Determine what can be stopped. Focus on what noise can be removed. Proactively imagine what would make the next several months the best experience. If you aren’t sure how to do that, seek out an external facilitator to guide you through activities. Don’t wait to go back to the way things were. Your employees and teams will come out of this different. Harness that for the positive.
Listen, share, and ask questions
Most kindergarteners need to learn how to put on their “listening ears” and share the community box of peeled crayons. In the Covid world, teams became stilted behind web cameras. Agendas were packed and not enough space was given to discussion, listening or sharing. Voices and perspectives were lost. Healthy teams intentionally ask each person for input and really listen to responses. Decisions aren’t rushed. Pauses are embraced for thinking and share of voice watched.
Say please and thank you
Kindergarten teachers reinforce those students who say please and thank you. Workhuman did a study that found nearly 50% of employees did not receive a thank you from a manager or employee during these past seven months. Now more than ever, employees want to feel seen, especially virtually. Many people have been balancing work, helping teach their kids school and run their home. Sharing a thank you goes a long way in making someone feel valued. It’s the cheapest and most impactful reinforcement.
Time outs and quiet time are welcome
Kindergarten teachers love quiet time and breaks to help kids reset. In the Covid world, people are struggling with the blur between work and home. They don’t want to take time off if they can’t go anywhere and are exhausted. Time off is key to reset and gain resilience.
Do you think “What would I do if I took time off?” Then you definitely need to schedule some. Dedicate device-free time. Find things that bring you resilience. Define a transition signal when stopping work for the day. Some of my friend’s light candles, some play music, some make a drink. Have a ritual that signals “work is done for the day” and give your brain permission to relax.
You don’t have to like it, but you do have to try it
As a picky eater growing up, this was a home rule. I had to try the food before I could declare I hated it, leading to some pleasant surprises. In the Covid world, there have been many new things to try. From free conferences to different collaboration tools and technology. While your instinct may be to reject things, this is a great time to experiment new ways of working.
Storytime is the best time
I vividly remember my teacher reading us stories in kindergarten. This was the best part of the day. In the Covid world, I am most often asked “How do I create a connected and engaged culture virtually?” Storytelling is the most powerful way to connect, engage and inspire employees and shape culture. People are struggling, feeling they are letting down their families and work. Share a story about your struggles, or a mistake you’ve made. Not only will people view you as more trustworthy, you create an environment for others to share their stories. Not sure where to start? You can learn storytelling.
Children leave kindergarten dramatically different from how they began. So much growth and development take place. The same will happen for this time. While there have been many difficult and heart-breaking moments, there have wonderful realizations. Instead of tolerating these next several months, how can you embrace the opportunity to positively shape the next stage?
And…warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
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