Grandfathers! What describes yours best? I wish I knew the original author of the venn diagram above, because I think it is one of the funniest and most accurate expressions of what makes grandfathers special that I have ever seen. Put another way, what if I asked, “What do fedora hats, epic tales of adventure and body odor have in common?” Would you have said, “My grandfather!”?

This example illustrates how useful venn diagrams can be in helping you look at a topic from multiple vantage points. It also may just possibly help you better understand your elder loved ones.

What might you have put as the three disparate big ideas that ultimately overlap at “your grandfather”? How about: gravelly voice, questionably accurate stories, pencil-thin moustache, hard of hearing, yellow teeth, members-only jacket, technophobes, people with hearts of gold, freely given hugs…the list goes on.

If you are lucky enough to have a grandparent who is still living, what would their venn diagram be? Or what would you choose for the grandparents of your own children (i.e. your own parents). Moreover, what would your kids say about your parents?

We have been taking on this task with my own kids as a fun, educational, and often illuminating project. I guarantee you that the process will amuse and surprise you — especially the intersections between the circles (i.e. Indiana Jones, etc.). Try it in your own family. You can start in the middle, knowing it can be “your grandfather” or start with three big ideas, not knowing where it will lead. 

If you come up with excellent diagrams, please post them in the comments below, labeled as follows: Big Ideas: a, b & c; Intersections: a+b, b+c, c+a; Center: d  

Have fun,

Peter Radsliff
CEO, Presto Services Inc.

P.S. If your venn diagram is REALLY great, I’ll send you a prize.