#229: Open-handed leadership
Do you practice hands-on mothering or open-handed parenting?
A couple of Saturdays ago I suggested that the reason why so many adults struggle to succeed is because so many parents shout ‘don’t fall!’
To illustrate, here’s another story. Once upon a time a mother saw a butterfly struggling to get out of its cocoon. She immediately wanted to help the butterfly. Without hesitation, she gently opened the cocoon to free the butterfly. But when the butterfly emerged, it fluttered to the ground. It could not fly.
The mother did not realize the importance of the struggle. It is the struggle to escape the cocoon that develops and strengthens the butterfly’s wings enough to enable it to fly. Instead of freeing the butterfly, she condemned it to a life on the ground.
Renowned psychologist Ruth Sanford called it “love with an open hand”.
Now answer this: At work, do you practice hands-on management or open-handed leadership?
I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.com
Copyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
A couple of Saturdays ago I suggested that the reason why so many adults struggle to succeed is because so many parents shout ‘don’t fall!’
To illustrate, here’s another story. Once upon a time a mother saw a butterfly struggling to get out of its cocoon. She immediately wanted to help the butterfly. Without hesitation, she gently opened the cocoon to free the butterfly. But when the butterfly emerged, it fluttered to the ground. It could not fly.
The mother did not realize the importance of the struggle. It is the struggle to escape the cocoon that develops and strengthens the butterfly’s wings enough to enable it to fly. Instead of freeing the butterfly, she condemned it to a life on the ground.
Renowned psychologist Ruth Sanford called it “love with an open hand”.
Now answer this: At work, do you practice hands-on management or open-handed leadership?
I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.com
Copyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
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