Happy Groundhog Day.
February 2nd is the only morning of the year when we traditionally celebrate a groundhog. We wait for a particular groundhog to poke its head out from its den to determine if the remainder of winter will be long or short.
Would any animal that’s this visionary have a few leadership lessons for us? I was curious to know, so I did a little digging (pun intended). Here’s a snapshot of what I found out about groundhogs.
In winter, groundhogs go into hibernation or a deep sleep-like coma—or, as humans call it, “burn-out.” They are territorial and behave aggressively toward others of the same species, and they never stay in the same “den” or place.
Not so furry and cute anymore, huh?
Leadership Tip
Avoid the groundhogs’ approach to leading others.
- Poke your head out of your office frequently to reinforce your vision.
- Don’t get burnt out; develop a balance between your homelife and work.
- Build strong relationships; don’t destroy them.
- Share what you have and know—be a good team player.
Also, help others stay in your den by providing the kind of caring, supportive leadership that people appreciate. They are watching every day, not just one day a year.
Celebrate the hero of Groundhog Day—but don’t be one.
