Most of what we know about how to behave socially and professionally we learned in kindergarten. I wonder if kindergarten behavior is a predictor of the future. Can kindergarten tell us who will grow up to behave like a normal human being and who has solid potential to be an asshat for life?
I bet you know people who failed the kindergarten basics; wouldn’t you like to see their kindergarten report card?
Maybe, just maybe, kindergarten happened sooooo long ago that people have forgotten these basic skills and thus why they do not know how to conduct themselves at work, at home, socially…. they need a kindergarten do-over!
I don’t care how smart you are or how much money you have, if you don’t have complete mastery over your kindergarten skills then know this: people are talking about you. They talk about you behind your back, all.of.the.time. They are talking about you right this minute.
Kindergarten skill #1: Let’s turn on our listening ears!
You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen twice as much as you speak. STFU. You talk too much.
Kindergarten skill #2: Use your words.
If someone you care about upsets you or you have a delicate issue to discuss, then be a grown-up and have a conversation. Don’t blow them off. Don’t be passive aggressive. Don’t be vindictive. What is it with siblings, friends, neighbors, colleagues who hide behind text, email, fb, etc. and can’t have a conversation with their words? How many times have you told your kid to “use your words”? Muy importante.
Kindergarten skill #3: Raise your hand before speaking.
Stop interrupting your colleagues on a conference call and stop cutting them off mid-sentence in meetings.
Kindergarten skill #4: The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you want others to do unto you.
Relationships of any kind are “reciprocal” or “two-way” that involve both sides equally, and in a mutual fashion. Sadly, many struggle with the concept of give and take and only learned the take part of this very simple equation. If you borrow money, repay it. If you say you are going to do something, do it. If someone does something nice for you when you are ill, do something nice for them when they are ill. Easy peasy, right?
Kindergarten skill #5: Can play independently or in small group without needing constant supervision. Shows independence in self-help skills.
Your boss would appreciate it if you could just figure it out without having to hear every step of how you did it. No one wants to hear the play-by-play. Make like Vanilla Ice and say “If there was a problem yo I’ll solve it.”
Kindergarten skill #6: Can take turns.
Wow – so many of us know someone whose turn-taking is busted. It goes something like this. We all take turns bringing a snack to the game. I host a playdate then you host a playdate. I take them to the birthday party and you pick them up. Wasn’t that a simple refresher?
Smarties, we need a kindergarten boot camp where grown ass adults can brush up on the basics. Which of these skills, when missing, gripes you the most?
