David R Smat

The Playground Principle: 10 Steps to Enhance Your Working Partnerships David R Smat

Inception of "The Playground Principle": I was recently asked by a graduate student at a presentation of mine, "If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?" My mind was sent spinning, crafting answers without understanding the question, so I asked, "Can you be more specific? I mean, If I could do exactly 'What' all over again?? "In other words, what can you tell me about achieving success in the workplace? What really matters?" she asked. I offered a few suggestions, but never came to a succinct response. After hours of retrospect since this encounter, a single theme comes to mind: Hone your people agility skills. Contrary to myriad management textbooks, the proficiency for effective working relationships is self-learned and developed over the years--at school recess. Here lies the inception of the ?Playground Principle,? a 6,000 word Top?10 of sorts, that will help resurrect these distant childhood and teenage relationship building experiences.