Leadership and Bird Watching

OK, so you are already wondering what the birds in my yard have to do with leadership, but hear me out on this.

We have a bay window in our kitchen that looks out into our backyard, where we have a bird feeder frequented by several varieties of fowl.

As I looked out today, I saw 3 different birds at a glance: sparrows, a cardinal, and several robins.

All of a sudden, it began to rain–heavy rain–the kind of rain that makes people stay inside or not want to go to their cars in the parking lot.  When it did, an interesting thing happened: birds scattered for cover, just like people do.

Except for the robins.

Not only did the robins not scatter, but more came.

Why?

Because robins eat worms, and worms come to the surface when it rains.  The robins were willing to endure a heavy rain to gain the reward of a meal.  None of the other birds did this.

And the leadership payoff?  Endured trials yield outcomes.  Endured trials attract followers.  Shared experiences make us stronger, and add to our collective wisdom.

What is your heavy rain?

And what is your promised worm?

~ by stoshdwalsh on October 6, 2009.