Consider the Groundhog

The groundhog is our team’s hero.

Well, at least it’s the hero of the part of the team who worked on this blog post. And those of us who work on Leadershippy. Which are mostly the same people.

Why? The groundhog is the mascot for the kind of leader who makes a difference just by being themselves.

And, okay, to be honest, we’re talking about the mythical groundhog of 2nd February here more than giving a scientific analysis of marmota monax. If you’re looking to consider the groundhog on that level, maybe Wikipedia?

But, anyway! The groundhog we’re envisioning is the kind of leader we want to be — not the kind with an impressive title or a big salary or a large number of people doing their bidding — no, the groundhog is reluctant when it comes to the typical accoutrements of power. But the kind of leader who, despite their reluctance, is willing to do what is necessary to influence the world around them for the better.

It might be tempting to say, “We wish there were more leaders like that,” but the truth is there are more leaders like that than not like that! We just have to reorient how we think about leadership.

Just because they’re underground doesn’t mean they aren’t everywhere.

Every single person is a leader the moment they take a stance, raise their voice, amplify someone quieter, or use their silence as power. When they start creating something new and invite others along. When they make the courageous move of being a first follower. When they offer encouragement to someone. Every person is a leader when they take action because it’s what they believe they should do, regardless of what the crowd thinks.

Here’s some of the things we love about groundhogs.

Some of the things we love about groundhogs

I know we just said that, but c’mon. It’s a section title. Anyway, here you go: groundhog things.

The groundhog sticks their neck out for others. It doesn’t matter that the groundhog is an introvert. (Of this we’re pretty sure.) It doesn’t matter that they would maybe be happiest never coming out of their den. When people are counting on them to do a job that they were made to do, or express an insight that only they can see, the groundhog is willing to stick their neck out in service to others.

The groundhog uses their voice when it counts. 364 days of the year, the groundhog defers to calendars and weatherpeople (weatherfolk?) everywhere. But when their viewpoint is relevant, when they have expertise that no other vertebrate has, the groundhog says, “Hey everyone, I have something important to say.” They don’t think they have a relevant opinion on every issue, but when they do, the groundhog does not hesitate.

The groundhog is humble and isn’t afraid to ask for help. The groundhog knows they are short of stature and don’t speak a language humans can understand. They need the help of someone particularly mayorial (or at least someone top hat-ful) to help them spread their message, and they don’t let pride issues get in the way of receiving assistance.

The groundhog knows themselves; both their strengths and their shadows. People think the groundhog is afraid of their shadow, but no. That isn’t it. The groundhog is incredibly self-aware, knowing both the things they are good at and the shadow lurking on the flipside of their strengths. Which leads us to our next point:

The groundhog practices good self-care. When the groundhog has had enough, they are not afraid to go back in their den. They are very familiar with their limits, and when they see their shadow side coming out, they know exactly what they need and know how to gets their needs met.

The groundhog makes decisions based on what they believe is true and right, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Despite knowing that they’re likely to be criticized, the groundhog does what they believe is right. It doesn’t matter how many people are watching or the pressures of society at large, they hold fast to what they know is true.

Wish to see more of these kinds of leaders in the world?

So do we.

Unfortunately society loves to play Whack-A-Mole with groundhogs, considering them pests. Someone raises an opinion or starts something new that runs against the grain — WHACK! — knock them back in their place.

So consider the groundhog in everyone.

Look at each person you see as a groundhog waiting for the right moment to come out of their hole. Maybe you can be one to encourage them to see themselves for who they are and the value they can bring — and not just their shadow.