I joined a (kids) biker gang…

Today’s mode of transportation was mini manual scooters as we strolled to the local bakery for sweet treats and iced lattes.

My 3 gang members included:

-A quintessential first born. A giver. A doer. A peace maker. A daredevil in her own way, but still a rule follower.

- An independent thinker. A natural athlete. A competitor.

-The baby of the family. Thinks he is bigger than he is.

You can imagine how our commute to get iced sugar cookies, croissants and an iced latte (only for me!) would go. But let me tell you, whatever you are thinking is likely wrong.

What I witnessed today had me signing up for my own scooter gang. I want to have that type of support and natural role clarity and role evolution.

Let me scene set…

Beautiful sunny morning, clear mist coming off the water, a phenomenal breeze and the temperature starting to rise. Major excitement in the air for both the commute and the destination at hand.

The rule follower sets the stage on the direction we are going. She keeps an eye on the baby who is challenging passing others and sometimes needed to be reminded which right side of the road is actually the “correct” side. The athlete is testing her strength and picking up speed.

Everyone is happy, and then comes the accident. No one is at fault but the fastest one up ahead takes a spill. Not a spill you just walk off. There’s lots of scrapes, maybe a bruise and definitely more blood than she is comfortable seeing.

Everyone shifts. The baby isn’t off making wrong turns. The eldest isn’t dictating rules. They all immediately turn around. They help her up, they walk her over, they stay calm. They completely change their approach. They are saying calming words and affirming she will be okay as they slowly roll back to me, the only member of the gang without wheels today.

We have been here before. Accidents happen. Thankfully I have learned from those prior moments and have a tiny first add kit in my bag.

We clean her up. We get her confidence back. And they again slowly roll to the destination, checking in on her along the way. They help her store her scooter at the bakery. They help her up the stairs. They support her as they pick their treats- and the same support is how we head home.

I want in on this team! I want to be with people who naturally play roles for the moment.

No one had to say “this is the situation,” they sensed what they had to do by reading the room. No one lost who they were or acted fake. They were genuine about the team, they did not want to miss the goal (of getting to sweet treats!) and they needed to help each other.

Imagine the next corporate team you are on. What if everyone was fully authentic to solve the problem ahead? What if the common goal was so clear it felt like a trip to the bakery? How great would It be if something went off track that the team just naturally found their compassion and empathy to get through it? What if you did not need an identified leader?

Kids can do it.

My biker/scooter gang did it.

So who wants to join a biker gang now?