We live in Kansas. I was going to say, rural Kansas…but since the vast majority of Kansas is rural that feels like an oxymoron. Yes, we have cities and urban areas, but they are really, really few and far between. For the most part, we’re the rural America that you see in Chevy and Budweiser commercials.
We live on the outskirts of a small city (Hutchinson, population 42,142), but no one would confuse us as urban dwellers. To take the kids to school we pass wheat fields, corn fields, and grazing pasture. On that grazing pasture, less than a mile from our house, we see a lot of cattle.
Most of the time, the cattle are standing in place, eating grass or chewing cud. Usually, they are pretty stationary. But every once in awhile, they get to moving as a herd. If you don’t know much about cattle moving as a herd, it’s pretty much the same thing as sports fans leaving a stadium. There is no leader, there are no followers, just a bunch of cattle or people moving along in generally the same direction.
Yet last week we saw something that was new to me. The cattle were moving in a single file through the field. The poor cow in front looked horribly confused. She kept turning her head back and looking at the other cows, then frantically looking from side to side. She would slow down…and so would the other cattle. She would speed up, and the rest did too.
So that got me thinking. This poor cow had apparently just decided to go on a walk, and all of a sudden she had followers. Other cows who apparently thought she knew where she was going. Cows that thought their journey had a purpose. A plan. A destination. It was obvious Miss Daisy wasn’t ready for the responsibility that all this leadership created. She was minding her own business and all of a sudden she was leading the herd. I could almost read her thoughts, “I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m out in front so I must be leading”.
How many times have you been caught in a similar situation? You’re not really trying to lead, you just make a comment or suggestion and suddenly you’re the anointed leader. Suddenly people are looking to you for direction and focus. And you were just offering an opinion. Honestly, it’s why I find myself being very careful about what I say in meetings.
It’s not that I disdain taking the lead on projects. It’s not that I don’t want to help out. No, most of the time, it’s because I have no idea where we’re trying to go as a group (herd?) and I don’t feel qualified to be out in front. Then if I do say something and get pushed to the front of the line I keep wondering where we’re supposed to be going.
So a frantically confused cow in a field in Kansas has helped me to have compassion to those who are forced into leadership roles where they know they’re not prepared. The next time I’m confronted with such a leader, I’m going to do what I can to help out.
How about you? Any leaders that you know who are only the “leader” because they’re in front of everybody?
I have a friend who constantly asks me for advice because my baby is a month older than hers. I have no idea what I’m doing either!
#bgfatlinky
I’m in Cornwall (UK not Canada) and we have a lot of cows too but they mostly follow each other when the farmer has food – I’m happy to lead the way to any food table 😉
Stevie #BigFatLinky
Stevie, you’re welcome to lead your followers to my table any day! I just got done doing a bit of a virtual tour of Cornwall via the internet because I didn’t really know where you were. Now I know a lot more about it, and it looks pretty similar to where I grew up.
Thans for popping over from the #BigFatLinky.
Make it a great day!
The poor cow! She obviously just wanted some alone time, and all the other bitches had to follow 🙂
I am not a leader, but sometimes I have had to do it. I get a little bit funny if everyone is looking to me for leadership. But as Mother, it’s different. It’s my duty to lead and guide my son. But if I am doing it for adults….I freak out!
#bigfatlinky
Kelly, thanks for popping over from the #BigFatLinky. It’s great to meet and read other bloggers work. I’ve loved being part of it.
You’re so right about the cow. We’ve driven past that farm so many times, and I honestly think I’ve seen her trying to sneak away to the barn without being followed. I know the feeling exactly. Like you, and can lead my kids (mostly through fiat) without much trouble, but put me in front of a group of adults and I struggle.
Make it a great day!
Funny how thought processes begin. Thank you for linking up to #bigfatlinky
Al, thanks for coming over from #BigFatLinky. I don’t know how you’re able to post comments with the explosion of the linky, but what an amazing problem to have.
I’ve caught myself in the unintended leadership situation so many times that it makes me wonder if I have a sign on my back that says “Follow Me”. It ought to have a disclaimer added, “I have NO IDEA where I’m headed”.
Make it a great day!
Nice to meet another Kansas blogger! I often encounter the same situation at KU. I’ll provide commentary in class or during a project, and suddenly I will find myself in command. I’m not really all that comfortable with that, but I often don’t have any choice once I open my mouth. Thank you for the post!
Great to meet someone else who’s discovered the internet, and especially blogging, in Kansas. Sometimes it feels a bit lonely, doesn’t it?
You make a good point about opening your mouth and ending up leading. It’s hard when you’re not comfortable with it, but leadership has it’s perks. At least the view tends to be better than the second in line LOL.
Thanks for stopping by, I hope to see you again. Make it a great day!