A Lesson in Bike Riding

My children love to ride their bikes. My four-year-old daughter rides well on her little pink bike, complete with a flowered white basket, colorful tassels, and training wheels. Navigating the cul-de-sac in front of our house is a challenge for her. She is still learning how to turn at just the right angle, how to use her brakes, and how to transition from the street to the sidewalk. It is a challenge that she is working to achieve more and more everyday.

My six-year old son has conquered those challenges. He gave up training wheels a long time ago. He speeds by his sister on his blue two-wheeler, lapping her as they both make their way around the court. He jumps off curbs, rides down the neighbors’ driveways, and even yells “CAR!!!” to the other bike riders to alert them of an approaching vehicle.

I have set specific boundaries for the children to ride. They are allowed to ride around the cul-de-sac and on the short road leading up to the circle. Recently, my son came to me with a bold declaration. “Mom, I’m ready for a new street.” I chuckled at his statement and told him we would look into it. He repeated his statement again, “Mom, I’m serious, I’m ready for a new street.”

It was a simple phrase with profound meaning. He wanted me to know he was ready for a new challenge. He had been riding his bike on the same street he started on as a beginner. While I was chatting with the neighbors and watching the younger children riding their bikes, I had missed my son’s readiness for something new. No wonder he had abandoned his bike for a scooter and skateboard. Riding his bike within the parameters I had giving him was no longer exciting. As a result, he was losing interest.

Employees express their disinterest in many ways. Attendance decreases, tardiness increases, distractions such as the telephone or the internet become an issue. While managers often question dedication and commitment in times like these, there are different questions that may need to be asked. Are your staff members working within the same parameters they were when you first hired them? Have their responsibilities grown? When is the last time you gave them a new challenge? If members of your staff are losing interest in their job, it may not be because of a lack of work ethic. They might just be ready for a new street.