Leadership Lessons from the Chicken Coop: A Concert of Courage and Clarity
Greetings from the chicken coop, where the feathery inhabitants have been sharing their wisdom with me in unexpected ways. This month, I'm going to take a slight detour from our barnyard adventures, but don't worry, we'll stay true to our theme and keep the spirit of our lessons intact.
Cast your mind back to the early 1970s, a time when I was an eleven-year-old musician in the making. I fondly recall my days in the elementary school band, under the tutelage of a wise and patient mentor, Mr. Dahl. Our hearts were set on the upcoming Christmas concert at Riverside Elementary School in Puyallup, WA. Oh, the anticipation! We lived in what at the time was a small farming community. Events like this were a big deal as friends and families gathered from around the district. We were all set to showcase our musical prowess to the community – parents, teachers, and curious onlookers.
However, fate had a surprise in store. The appointed hour for our musical extravaganza came, lingered, and then passed by like a fleeting note. Our beloved instructor, Mr. Dahl, was nowhere to be found. Panic started to rise in the room, like a crescendo building to a climax. Minutes turned into a quarter-hour, and then a half-hour – still no sign of our conductor. It was a symphony of uncertainty.
Enter the moment that would shape my young perspective on leadership. Something stirred within me, perhaps fueled by the same stubbornness that drives my chickens. With determination coursing through my veins, I rose from my seat, summoned all the courage an eleven-year-old muster, and approached the stage. As I tried to get my principal’s attention, I felt like a two-year-old tugging on my mom’s skirt. I interjected with the innocent confidence that only a child possesses, “Don't worry, we've got this!”
The principal, a name now lost in the sands of time, quelled the unrest and declared that the show must go on, even without our esteemed maestro. As he rallied the audience, I rallied my fellow bandmates into a huddle, like a strategist preparing for battle. With a simple plan in mind, I assigned myself the role of conductor. I stood front and center, ready to guide the musical charge.
The plan? As simple as a barnyard sunrise. I would give a signal – four bops of my trumpet's bell – and on that fourth beat, our harmonious performance would begin. I'm sure our audience wasn't expecting an overlapping medley of Silent Night and Jingle Bells, but life has a way of delivering unexpected symphonies.
The moment arrived, the trumpets sounded, and a delightful chaos ensued. While my classmates embarked on the familiar strains of Silent Night, I marched to the beat of my own horn – Jingle Bells! Laughter erupted from the crowd, and in that instant, I blushed redder than a cherry tomato. Yet, even in my embarrassment, I faced a decision.
I could have retreated, let humiliation consume me, and escaped to the shadows. But no, the stubborn streak that runs through me, much like my feathery friends, urged me onward. To retreat was to silence the music altogether, and that was simply not an option in my young mind. So, I rallied my fellow musicians, shook off the embarrassment, and embraced the unexpected duet.
We played on, our melodies intertwining, laughter ringing through the gymnasium. We may have strayed from the script, but we performed with heart and integrity. We demonstrated resilience, a willingness to adapt, and the importance of seizing the moment, even when it takes an uncharted path.
As I reflect on that day, I see the parallels between this childhood tale and the lessons we learn from our chicken coop. Leadership is often about stepping forward, even when faced with unexpected challenges or awkward situations. It's about knowing when to stand firm and when to adapt, just like our chickens do in their daily routines.
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So, remember that sometimes the most valuable lessons come from the most unexpected sources. Whether leading a flock of chickens or a group of fellow musicians, the journey to success is paved with courage, adaptability, and the willingness to fall forward-together. It's a reminder that even in the face of laughter and blushing cheeks, we can create moments that brighten the world, if only for a tiny instant.
Until our next coop adventure!
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Ken Lund
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