TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET

#91 September 25 2006

Welcome to this week's message from the Tunney-Side-Of-The-Street. You are encouraged to share this with fellow workers, family and friends.

After further review - The issue of tolerance seems to be more prevalent lately. Football fans become less tolerant when their team loses. It's still early in the football season; yet, fans want "win now or else". Also as the Major League Baseball season nears conclusion with pennant races hanging in the balance in four of the six divisions, fans become panicky. Just hope the players don't.

In my book, It's the Will, Not the Skill Coach Herman Edwards, whose Kansas City Chiefs are without a win in two starts, knows that he, as their leader, must keep his poise and focus on the next game. "Whatever you do, don't panic", is what Edwards will tell his T*E*A*M. I know Coach "walks his talk". Of course, he must also explain that to less tolerant Chiefs' fans. The point I am emphasizing is tolerance and understanding, which was brought home to me recently, are important in all walks of life.

I had the privilege of being a participant in Mark Wellman's Celebrity Golf Challenge. Mark is a wheelchair bound athlete (paralyzed in a mountain climbing accident) who organizes this annual tournament to raise funds to help the disabled. While most of the golfers were fully mobile, a couple of disabled golfers played in wheelchairs, and one played with only one arm. Can you imagine playing golf with one arm?

One player (with no physical disability) told me, "At first I was uncomfortable being around the disabled". While you might frown on that, think back to a time in your life when you may have been uncomfortable attending a meeting that was composed of people of a different color or race. Wellman's motto of "no limits" says all you need to know about what can be accomplished. "Disability" to the physically challenged is not a handicap. My work with Special Olympics has heightened my respect for those with disabilities.

The subject of diversity is so important today. When you have the privilege of growing up in a community of diversity, as some of us have, tolerance of those "different from you" is easier to understand. Learning to be comfortable around others who look or act differently than you is based, not on intellect, but on exposure and understanding. It is important to look at the "color" of the other person's character not the color of their skin or their physical or mental challenges.

Will you expand your level of tolerance to help others?

Look for my book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success
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http://tunney-side-of-the-street.blogspot.com

For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com

ARTICLE TAGLINE FOR JIM TUNNEY, Ed.D., CSP, CPAE

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