Leadership by Crane. Really.

Working forces you to get down to what's practical. That is, what "works."

Since this is a busy travel week, I'm doing some synthesis when it comes to writing. That's good, because it leads to simple ways to view and apply what can become unwieldy and complex.

So, I offer up:

Sandhill Cranes as Leaders

These are large birds that fly unbelievable distances that span continents. While doing this, they exhibit three remarkable traits:

1. No one crane stays out in front the entire time.

2. The ones who do get to lead have demonstrated some instinctive ability to handle turbulence.

3. While one bird leads, the rest honk affirmation and encouragement.

Is there a better model out there?

Note: It is not advisable to be directly under the cranes while observing their leadership pattern.

And a big honk of encouragement to young Patrick whose online gallery made the photo possible.

Comments

[Nancy E. Lewis]

Love the crane post. Here's a story: I sing with a great group of people who are intelligent, gifted musicians. We constantly raise the bar in our performances. Recently, we sang for an African American choir and their immediate response and encouragement to us led us to a whole other level. They clapped, they shouted, they stomped, they stood, and gave us a standing ovation at the end. We turned to each other with tears in our eyes and wonder on our faces.The nape hairs were still standing on our necks. Receiving that kind of affirmation and encouragement is so humbling, so inspiring. How do we extend that into the workplace?

[Steve Roesler]

Nancy, you put a big smile on my face visualizing your experience.

The next time someone obviously pours their heart and soul into a piece of work, grab the rest of the gang and start clapping, shouting, stomping, and end with a standing O.

I know it sounds un-businesslike. Being "business-like" gets in the way of people getting excited about doing business.

Congrats on the wonderful experience...bask in it.

[Bill Nelson]

LESSONS FROM LIFE - LESSONS FROM ANIMALS

This insight comes from the concept of Some people see but very few observe. In that regard, Lessons from animals is a collection of observations and hence, assumptions on my part.

As I started to hear, see and understand that some of the things animals do could be of use to the human world, the more I found myself observing them -- and then looking at ways these skills could and should be transferred into everyday human life.

There are, no doubt, countless other situations and lessons we can learn from animals.

Lesson 1-Leadership

Recently I was watching a program on TV about the Australian Kelpie sheep dog. The story spoke about the breed and its history.

It showed a breeder who had exported 7,500 working dogs around the world. Then it showed a comparison of two different styles of working kelpies.

Both kelpies had a flock of fifty or so sheep. Both did an exceptional job as the farmer stood and watched them return the sheep to the pen. The first dog was what they call a 'barking dog‘ and did exactly what the name suggests: it directed the flock through the use of its bark.

Nothing out of the ordinary but nonetheless, impressive.

Then we get to the second dog. It was what they call an 'eye dog'; that is, it herds the sheep by making eye contact.

The strength of the eye contact is so powerful that the sheep move in the direction the dog desires. It was unbelievable to watch the dog move and configure ways so as to make eye contact with these sheep. How often do you make eye contact when you are communicating with others?

Lesson 2-Do what you have to do, when you have to do it

Ants -- they drive us nuts. Out on a picnic, you get everything set up and all of a sudden there they are. Who gets up and moves? We do. Why? Because we all know that we are never going to stop them. If we are in their way they will go around us, over us through us. They will do whatever they have to to get to where they want to go or to do whatever they have to do.

You see ants have a unique ability and quality that never allows them to stop doing what is required. They always find a way around an obstacle. They march on through adversity. They reach their destination. They do what they have to do, when they have to do it.

So next time, before you stand on them or hit them with the bug spray or whatever means of eradication you use, take the time to observe these guys in action.

Lesson 3-Play for something greater than yourself

Mice and rats? Can't stand them. But they have a few good qualities. One of which is, that if they are in danger from snakes, eagles or other predators, rather than worry about themselves they make excessive amounts of noise to warn other rats and mice that danger is lurking.

Galahs, Parrots and Kookaburras make more noise than a 747 taking off, and usually at five in the morning. But they make that noise to alert the other birds in the flock that food is available and where it is.

Lesson 5- After the price is forgotten the quality still remains

Squirrels: I don't know that much about them. But on one of my visits to a good friend, Dick Hannula, in Tacoma, Washington USA, I got to watching these squirrels in his back yard and taking an interest in what they do.

Squirrels are very motivated animals and that motivation comes about because they are goal orientated. Squirrels know that for effective goal setting you must have process goals and outcome goals.

That is why they work feverishly in summer to collect and store food so there will be abundance for the winter.

The price is to have to work in summer; but if they don’t, the bigger price is to pay the ultimate price in the winter.

Lesson 6-We can control how others behave towards us

Dolphins in Marine Parks: I’m not saying I agree or disagree about animals in captivity, but what I have seen with the Dolphins in these shows and what I have seen from documentaries leads me to believe that dolphins also know how to train humans.

Yes, the trainer teaches the dolphin to do certain tricks, but at the same time the dolphin teaches the trainer how to behave around and react to them. Go the heavy hand - I won’t do the trick; I do the trick - you give me the affection and the reward: You behave the right way towards me and I will react in the corresponding manner. A win-win situation.

[Steve Roesler]

Bill,

You've added a body of information that has probably changed the nature of today's water-cooler conversation for the better!