A Round Table Life

"Everyone around this table is family."

• William Young
  

A Round Table Life

I sat at a round table for lunch on Friday in a most unlikely spot. It was in the office of a high-speed machine shop in the middle of a large industrial park. I was invited by my friend William "Bill" Young, the owner of the company. We weren't the only ones there.

All of Bill's employees were there. There were eleven of us in all at the big round table. And, I looked across the table at each one of them, only to marvel at their uniqueness and difference. Still, we were the same. All of us humans covered in skin and filled with bones; each one also working with Bill in some way.

It wasn't until Bill began to speak that I really noticed the significance of the table to his words. "These lunches are so we can communicate well. As we grow this company we need to make sure that we have good communication so we can be successful. So let's go around the table and each one of you can say anything you want." Bill said.

That's when I saw the round, plastic table as something different. It was then that it reminded me of one of the most famous legends of British history; that of King Arthur and his knights of the round table. Arthur represents a man who was the epitome of good against evil, light against darkness, and that eternal, never-ending struggle between what is right and that which is wrong. It is a tale of a group of men all working together for the good of their kingdom. Bill was the same; he wanted to make sure that all of the people who work for him were also working, with him.

"Not everyone here knows everyone yet, so be sure you tell us about yourself so we can all get to know you better. The better we know each other, the better we'll be able to work together." Bill continued. "We're all family here."

When I heard those words, I knew that Bill had discovered the "Principle of Inclusion." It didn't matter that we had different colored hair, skin and eyes. What mattered to him was that we had decided to be included in his life and venture. He is one of the best examples of inclusion I've ever seen.

Bill sees the benefits of his philosophy every day. He has a growing business and he's surrounded by people that have taken ownership of his business with him. Perhaps most importantly, he is encircled by friends with whom he shares life. Here are five things I've learned from my experience with Bill that I thought you might want to think about:

First, Bill only works with people who want to work with him. Second, he includes the people that work with him in the vision of his business. Third, each person is accountable for their responsibilities to everyone participating. Fourth, everyone participates in helping the others grow professionally and personally. Finally, everyone has a sense of belonging to their combined venture and life.

It's that sense of belonging that appeals to every person ever born on this planet and we can all have it if we'll just live a life of inclusion. Will you create a round table life? Who will you include at your table of life today?