Kicking Them Out Of The Nest
This spring, like most, brought the usual wildlife to our backyard. Squirrels start scampering around looking for all the goodies they hid in our yard last fall. Rabbits plant their babies in our lily of the valley. As all the beautiful shrubs and flowers grow greener by the day, you start to see birds poking around looking for worms. The birds also tend to look for a place to nest. They grab straw, ribbons, dryer lint, or anything they can find to build their nests in their most endeared locations. One of them has been trying for years to claim our garage shelf. Usually, about three birds settle in our yard to nest. This year, a robin chose our outside light fixture to prop their nest upon. The nest is robust and solid, sitting on the heat of the light fixture but up high enough not to burn it. As the eggs hatched, we saw three babies opening their beaks wide to get the deliciousness that the parents had brought back to the nest.
I wondered how long this process takes. When does the baby leave the nest? Do they ever see their parents again? So, of course, I googled it. Did you know it only takes around 12 to 21 days for most songbirds to launch? That seems fast. I am fascinated by the birds' ability to know exactly when they are ready to fly and what will help them get there. As a leader for over 35 years, I wish I were as precise as these birds at knowing when the leaders I am guiding are ready for their next adventure. As I have observed these birds and conducted some research myself, I see many parallels between them and us as leaders, specifically in the roles of the mama and papa birds.
Certain conditions make both leaders and baby birds ready for their next big adventure. Some of it is simply the actual time to mature. We all need a period in which to become confident, learn the basics, and capture the lay of the land. For birds, they need time to grow their feathers and wings. They need to be fed by their parents to survive. For us as leaders, we do need others who have been where we are to show us the way, to teach us the basics, and help us navigate the pitfalls. (Not everything is learned on TikTok.) The birds also need parental influence as they age. We, as leaders, need the same. We need more experienced leaders to help us shape our leadership skills and to discover what kind of leader we are meant to be. Lastly, birds have environmental factors that determine when they are ready to leave the nest. Much of this is being vulnerable to predators if they stay where they are. For humans, there is also a risk in us staying where it is comfortable. If leaders stay until they think they are ready, they may never leave. They may choose safety over adventure. As a leader, it is your job to measure this carefully. For years, I have seen so many young leaders choose one of two paths: either they want to jump into a role too fast and they are not ready, OR they would stay comfy for far too long and miss their shot at growing into great leadership. So what is the magic formula? Well, let’s look back at my bird friends for inspiration.
The robin begins to come back less often, allowing her young to get hungry. She also pokes around the outside of the nest like she is nudging them to sit up or move around, making it less comfy to stay put. She then starts to stand on the edge of the nest or on a nearby post, close, but not close enough for the young babies to touch her. Then, gradually, she nudges them out, one by one. She senses when it is the right time for each to fly, and she makes sure they do. I don’t think she sees them again after this, so it is a pretty big deal.
As I have spent time growing up leaders, I do the same. I look for ways to teach the basics to them as they are new in their roles. I provided a lot of help at first. Then, as I see them pick up on things, I will purposely start to give them things they don’t think they can do in order to test their sense of adventure and confidence. If they grab on, I give them more. If they fall, we circle back and learn from our mistakes. I actually think most leaders don’t think they are ready when, in fact, they are. Some of the greatest learning has resulted from being put in situations where I felt incapable. I drew from what my leaders taught me and discovered more as I moved forward.
Occasionally, I am teased by people I have led in the past; they claim that I “kick people out of the nest”. This used to bother me a lot because it sounds harsh. But after watching these birds for the past few years, I take it as a compliment. If you have ever been kicked out of the nest to grow your leadership or spread your wings, consider that your leader may have known you were ready before you did. How did you do? If you succeeded, bravo! You did it. If you fell short, that’s ok. It’s your progress from there that matters.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings of eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
How is your leadership soaring?
Are you taking the time to give your young leaders the basics they need from you to fly?
Have you given them an appropriate level of challenge along the way to be ready when the time comes?
Are you willing to take the risks to give your young leaders a challenge they don’t know if they can do?