The Caterpillar and the Butterfly
When I was a little girl I was a bit of a tom-boy. I use to love to climb trees, play in the flowers and get muddy from adventuring all day. Two of the things I use to love about being outside and running free were butterflies and caterpillars. I use to love the way the caterpillar would climb over your hand or arm with its many legs pushing at once. I was lucky, between all my relative’s houses I was able to see an amazing variety of these critters. The most spectacular that I have ever seen was a multicolored variety with long spikes. I remember being told not to touch it because of the long spikes and its thickness verses my little hands.
As for butterflies – chasing them around the yard was the best. Zigzagging this way and that trying to catch them but not hurt them. Sneaking up on one when it has just landed to view its many colors and look at its slightly fuzzy round face. Amazing creatures, which were at times stunning when landing on a flower, as if creating a small decorative accent to the garden if only for a brief moment.
What confused me as a child is why at one period of time I would see lots and lots of caterpillars but not many butterflies and then I would see lots of butterflies but not many caterpillars at all. When it was explained to me that caterpillars turned into butterflies I felt cheated. Why can’t we have both? Why do they have to change? What if they don’t want to change – why is it mandated?
Once again, leadership in nature shows us a lesson.
Why can’t we have both? – Because to become something more you need to evolve to the next step. This does not mean you need to leave everything behind but you can not be who you were and who you are turning into. When you try and play both sides of the fence, everyone looses.
Why do they have to change? – Because we all need to change as we grow in life. We may notice the change, we may not. We may actively seek the change or not. But the fact remains as we grow into adulthood, we do change and evolve. So must the caterpillar.
What if they don’t want to change? – At times none of us want to change everything about ourselves like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. We often think back as I just did above to the “good ol’ days” when everything was new and exciting when we were still innocent of the world around us. We did not ask to change or to grow up, it just happened. But in the case of leadership if you do not change you will not become the leader you seek to be. If you are a leader and do not change with the times or adapt your style per individual you will find yourself no longer leading. Change is not a matter of want or desire all the time; it’s a matter of necessity. Just like the caterpillar – it must change; there is no choice.
Why is change mandated? – Because just like in nature, business requires evolution. It requires adapting to current markets, global markets, changing markets places depending on the business you are in. Nature must adapt to humans coming in and building, replanting, reshaping, it must adapt. And so must leaders.
In today’s environment I admit, I only see the occasional caterpillar but I know they are there because I do see stunning butterflies. I know that the change is happening behind hidden leaves where no one can disturb it. I still often stand and watch the caterpillars I am able to observe. I admit to rescuing one every now and again when I worry it’s in a high traffic area and may get hurt. I guess there is part of me that hasn’t changed with the understanding of evolution – I can still marvel like a child at the innocence of a tiny creature.
What would a Leader do?
~ Review your team, who is resisting turning into their own butterfly? How can you help them on their way to that metamorphosis?
~ Are you growing and changing with the times? Have you reviewed your personal skill set lately? If so, what action plan can you put in place to ensure your wings are brightly colored with knowledge?
~ Go for a walk. With open ears and eyes let nature begin to work its lessons on you.
~ Look at my store for Nature of Leadership resources.
