Premature Influence.
Hi There,
Great news! My koi pond, home to six goldfish, was opened for the season last week.
When our technician Roberto finished power washing the rocks, nestling the filter motor and reintroducing the fish to the pond, he made an interesting observation: He was surprised there were only six goldfish in residence.
I explained it was my intention to acquire some more this year, to which he replied, “But these goldfish reproduce like rabbits”. Roberto then speculated. “Perhaps they’re all male fish.”
I knew that wasn’t true, as two new baby goldfish did appear last year. But it was in that moment that I gained clarity, along with a sinking feeling in my stomach.
You see, one afternoon last summer I found two of the fish stuck outside of the shallow end of the pond. Feeling an urgent need to save them, I sprang into action! One flopped itself back into the water. The other, I had to touch (yuck) to ease it back into the water.
I thought I’d saved the fish, when perhaps they had positioned themselves at the shallow edge near some rocks to lay eggs. What if my act of super-heroism prevented their propagation?
When I mentioned my potential blunder to my Social Justice Study Circle, a wise colleague brought forth the story of the boy and the chick. Do you know the one?
A baby chick was in the process of hatching. The boy, not wanting to see the chick struggle, helped it along. The chick soon perished because it hadn’t developed the necessary wing strength acquired when breaking through the shell.
That brought to mind Gloria Steinem’s recollection of bringing a snapping turtle back from across a road, only to have her professor inform her that the turtle had likely spent the last 5 months moving toward its egg-laying destination.
And then, wise Phyllis brought the scenario into the workplace. She shared her experience with new leaders inserting themselves before assessing what’s going well in an organization.
It’s a lesson that continues to resurface.
So, I ask you: What is it that you try to influence prematurely?
We have an opportunity to learn from these instances, and from others’ mistakes, if only we take the time to reflect, and gain the courage to admit that we could use some help.
Cheers!
-Deborah
Deborah Goldstein
DRIVEN Professionals / Forbes / Linkedin
info@drivenpros.com | LinkedIn
DRIVEN Professionals, 35 Adrienne Lane, Garrison, NY 10524