Equality

I read an article the other day in the Harvard Business Review Is a Level Playing Field a Good Thing? It’s really more a “food for thought” piece than an article, but it raises some great questions. Is equality in business always a good thing? The point of the article is that disadvantaged parties (countries, in the example) perhaps should be treated differently. I thought about posting it when I first read it last Monday, but decided not to. Until now.

Today is my oldest son’s birthday. (Remember that last Friday was my middle son’s!) We had the traditional breakfast in bed – whatever he chose. (He had a poached egg on a bagel with bacon and sausage.) We’re having his favorite dinner at the pool and his good friend is coming. My point is, life is not too shabby for Davis today.

I am currently working on a very intense statistical project. You know the kind – I need absolute silence and a couple of Advil every 4 hours. Andrew interupted my concentration to ask me if I was taking Dunkin Munchkins to school today. I took some on Friday for Reed’s day – so he naturally assumed I would today. Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it. He’s 10 and I didn’t even think he’d want me at lunch. But, fair is fair.

So, I showed up in the cafeteria with my lunch and a big box of Munchkins. And this is what Davis said….

“Thanks, Mom. Mr. Soskil told me to bring the Munchkins back to the classroom and we’re going to have them for an afternoon snack.”

So, you see, he knew I’d bring them since I brought them for Reed. Can you imagine how I’d have felt if I hadn’t? Yikes! Thanks Andrew. I owe you one.

Note: If you’re intersted in the HBR article, you can read some reader responses to it….