Monday 8 June 2015

FIN DE PARTIE

It is quiet and raining today after a sun drenched and rowdy weekend, during which the Mini Madam had her annual birthday party.

This year the format was slightly altered, with the addition of a water fight. This was very eagerly anticipated, it appeared, by all who attended, but most especially, the boys - classmates of the Mini Madam, who turned up - some of them - in shortie wetsuits and other sartorial indications of their preparedness for a state of war,

Big Madam asked George and I to supervise it. Though I'd had the idea in the first place, and thus was open to accusations of turncoating, nonetheless, I pointed out to Big Madam what a misplaced decision it would be to put us in charge. If you do, I said, you'll have a queue of wailing kids, complaining to their parents of how things have gotten out of hand.

In fact, George and I made ourselves scarce during the water fight, driving off to the bank, to get cash for the bouncy castle men, who insisted on it.

It all went well in our absence, the kids happily stalking each other through the mown paths of the orchard, reminding us once again of the wisdom of playing people to their strengths, rather than their weaknesses. A lesson which many leaders in many departments in many Companies could do to heed.

My role was to congratulate everyone who helped on a job well done, and buy them the now traditional dinner afterwards to say thank you. I can do that.

Next year, my role will include coming up with the ideas for the party format. That also plays me to strength. It's clear that the activities which have lasted us well for five or six years now, will no longer serve. Mini Madam is transiting from being a big little girl, to being a little big girl. Two very different things.

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