I want to tell you a leadership story, and you’re probably going to laugh.
You may already know that I have a butterfly garden. A few weeks ago, we had the largest bunch of monarch caterpillars that I’ve seen in the 10 years I’ve been doing this (24 butterflies-in-training to be exact). As time went on, they turned into the chrysalis (hardened protective layer of a pupa) and eventually they all hatched and were ready to be released outside.
Well most of them. You see there was one last butterfly who was behind the others. It was progressing a little more slowly – if it were a human, we might say it was procrastinating. But it was the last one hanging out in the, by this time, very dirty cage. So I pushed it like many of us do. I pushed this little, flightless butterfly to finish drying outside. What’s the problem you might ask? Well, in Florida we have a massive set of reptiles. And some of them must think there is an all you can eat buffet of delicious butterflies at my house.
Sure enough, I walk away and over hear my husband say, “Oh no!”. As I immediately rush back, I see a lizard chomping on my little butterfly friend. Chasing this predator away, I pick up the butterfly and see that its left forewing has been eaten. My heart just broke.
So here go the voices in my head again. One of them said “See you pushed too hard. I told you it wasn’t ready”. Another said “Dude it’s a bug. Whatever!” and as these two inside voices went back and forth. I couldn’t shake the shame I felt inside. My husband of course as supportive as he is – is not a butterfly expert. So in attempt to Align within myself I did what most of us do.
I turned to the internet for answers and Googled, “How to fix a butterfly wing”.
Much to my surprise a Youtube video pops up by the Live Monarch Foundation on how to repair a butterfly wing. Apparently an old wing part and superglue work very well. But where to find a Monarch forewing, and how exactly do I talk this Monarch into lying still for the treatment?
In amazement and hope, I went to their contact us form and asked for help. Much to my surprise again, Christopher (pictured) the Founder of the Live Monarch Foundation immediately responded and said they have butterfly wing prosthetics – very cool. AND, guess where he lives? Yes, in the fine city of Boca Raton! Even better, the guy literally lives in the development across the way from me! Here’s a picture of my new Crew member Christopher hand delivering the butterfly wings!
You see leaders take responsibility for their world. Even when we feel shame or anxiety before we ask for help outside our normal circle. The Leadership Lesson from all this: “There is a network of support around us and it’s closer than we think”. Who do you need to talk to outside your circle to support you with your goals?
Send me a quick note and let me know.