Fowl Leadership - Debbie

Well, well, well, we're back with another tale from the fowland. This time, our protagonist is none other than Debbie, the luckiest chicken alive, who got hit by a car not once but twice and survived. That's right, folks, this chicken is practically invincible!

The second time I thought for sure she was dead as I watched it happen from my window while I was coaching, and she lay there motionless on the road, only to get up after a while, shake her head and walk back to the flock as if nothing happened. And that is why she is named Debbie; after the only chicken to survive an intergalactic spaceship's crash in the Netflix series "Lost in Space."

The Affiliate Leader

And if there's one thing Debbie knows, it's how to lead with an Affiliative style. Debbie knows that leadership is more than just luck – it's about building strong relationships with her (girl-)friends and leading by example. It's a leadership style that builds strong relationships between team members, creates a sense of harmony, and promotes teamwork. The Affiliative leader puts people first and ensures everyone feels valued and heard. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, let's see how Debbie does with this style.

Debbie always jumps up and down when she sees me in the morning, clucking happily as she emerges from the coop. It's just a joy and puts a smile on my face every time! She checks in on each of the other girlfriends throughout the day, making sure they have everything they need and are feeling their best. And when one of her girlfriends is feeling down, Debbie is there to offer a sympathetic ear and a supportive wing. Like any good Affiliative leader, Debbie believes that her team, aka the girlfriends, is the most crucial part of her success. She knows that without them, she'd be nothing.

The Challenges

One of the biggest challenges with Affiliative leadership is that it can be difficult to make tough decisions. Because the focus is on creating harmony and promoting teamwork, confronting team members or making unpopular decisions can be challenging.

Another challenge of Affiliative leadership is that it can sometimes lead to a lack of accountability. Because everyone is so focused on being kind and supportive, holding team members accountable for their actions can be challenging. Debbie has experienced this too.

And this is how I introduce to you: The Boyfriend…

I kid you not! It is NOT a joke!

Debbie befriended a wild male pheasant (rooster). All fine and dandy until The Boyfriend decided to join the girlfriends in the coop one evening! When *I* made him leave (which meant I had to unceremoniously crawl into a small chicken coop), Debbie threw an absolute hissy fit! The lack of harmony completely distressed her, and she didn't lay eggs for days.

So, what can we learn from Debbie and her Affiliative leadership style? Well, we can learn that building strong relationships and promoting teamwork are crucial to success. But we also need to remember that sometimes, tough decisions need to be made, and team members need to be held accountable for their actions. It's a delicate balance, but with the right attitude and approach, it's possible to lead with kindness and compassion while still achieving great things.

Debbie may be just a chicken, but she's an example of a mighty fine leader. Her Affiliative leadership style has allowed her to create a happy and harmonious team, even in the face of adversity. So, let's take a page from Debbie's book and focus on building strong relationships with our team members. Let's create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard and where we work together seamlessly towards our goals. And let's not be afraid to make tough decisions or hold team members accountable when necessary. It's all part of being a great leader.

You can read part 1 here.