“Let me see, the pattern for a cocoon has got to be here someplace, they gave it to me during leader orientation. I’m going to be responsible for a herd of caterpillars beginning tomorrow and I’ll have to know how to build their cocoons by then.”
This company has been building cocoons the same way for twenty four years and doesn‘t anticipate any changes soon. The pattern shows the cocoon at the far end of a loading ramp with a squeeze chute attached. They try to entice the caterpillars up the ramps and suddenly pop them into their molds. Once the caterpillars are squeezed into their mold, uncomfortable as they might be, they are given these instructions. “Read the employees manual, just do what it says and you will be transformed into a beautiful employee, and that’s an order!”
And they call us their leaders, I say we should be called pushers! To me a leader would explain to the caterpillar that to retain employment, it will be necessary for them to learn how to build their own cocoon. “I will walk the ramp with you and will help you transform into a beautiful employee. To the best of my ability, I will help guide your efforts and ideas, so you can spread your wings in flight toward a common goal.”
It appears to me that when we try to push caterpillars into their mold, we will suddenly have unexpected humps to contend with, pulling them into their cocoons seems much more streamlined and less painful.
I’ll confess, being a leader takes much more effort than being a pusher, but the rewards are immeasurable!
If, you have leadership responsibilities and you’re a pusher, I challenge you to do your employer a favor and become a leader. For you pushers who aren’t assigned the charge of a herd of caterpillars, you can become a silent leader and strengthen your popularity ratings.

When I press the play button on the recall unit, one of my favorite gems pops to the top. It was provided by one of our granddaughters when she was three or four years old and is written the way I recall it today.
“Grandma, Won’t you come along with me, I want to take a trip.”
“Ok, where shall we go?”
“I don’t really care, let’s go to Kansas City.”
“That sounds good to me, how will we get there?”
“We can ride on the back of a firefly!”
“You mean both of us, on the same firefly?”
“Sure, I’ll get on first and then you can get on in back.”
“But, how will there be room for me if you’re already on the firefly?”
“I’ll move over!”

Hey, this may just be a rumor but, it might be worth a try! I heard you can get a free delivery with this Warm Fuzzy order by request. Supposedly, its available to anyone and everyone who orders one, even if you live in a residential area! So, if you get a charge out of this, you can’t blame me! Simply read and follow these instructions.

Dear Free Delivery,
We need a touch of comfort,
Please dump it in a pile.
Then, ring our bell to remind us,
We can reach it with a smile!

How is that for a conversation starter. I guess it might be a half of a step upscale from, “Good morning, how are you this morning?” This one really sets you up for exaggerated feedback, “Oh, I’m just fine, how are you?” usually stretches the truth into the next county. At least most people don’t lie about rainfall amounts. Sometimes they even speculate how much rain fell in a neighboring town. Now that’s a real icebreaker, or not?
For my buck, rain talk is absolutely boring and leads the conversation nowhere, except to confirm how badly we may have needed the rain we got. Maybe we need to wear high heeled sneakers to elevate our thinking to higher levels. I challenge you to unfold a new wrinkle in greetings. Greet the very next person you meet with, “Good morning, tell me about a funny incident you’ve heard or experienced from BE (Before Electricity) or BIP (Before Indoor Plumbing) or choose something equal. Then stand back and be prepared for a flow of ultra rich conversation flavors. You’ll probably be drawn into a greeting conversation starter at balcony level. Delay engaging your mouth and allow your listening skills to bathe in the joy of the moment. Too often we jump in with a “That reminds me of when ________” Don’t do it! Just listen!
Memories of how much rain, soon wash away, but memories of sharing from an era BE or BIP will linger on and on. Go ahead, unfold a new wrinkle in conversation starters and surprise those you meet. This could lead to new friendships. If you know of a good greeting conversation starter, I’d like to hear from you.

Marjorie, Jeri’s best friend had just asked Jeri if she could keep a secret. The anticipation of hearing private information made tiny goosy bumps skedaddle all over Jeri’s sensitive skin. After all, she was being chosen as the only additional, sole proprietor of some rare, undisclosed news. Jeri had obviously earned the highest level of trust from Marjorie, or she wouldn’t have been included in such a secluded responsibility. She was asked to help carry and protect this evasive pocket of valuable information, “The Secret!”
Being selected to hold a secret is the only doorway known to the level of suspense it holds and here was Jeri, standing boldly in that doorway! Can there possibly be a higher rung on the ladder of importance than being a trusted friend? After all, you can’t just walk out on the street, point your finger at someone and ask them to keep a secret, especially not if it needs to be kept confidential. The immense anticipation worked on Jeri like a magnet, pulling millions of those tiny goosy bumps out to dance in celebration.
Jeri, who was chosen because of her honesty, made the “Can you keep a secret” promise sound so convincing.
By now, Jeri’s anxiety level had reached an all time high, her inner being was jittery as jelly pudding. Jeri had worked herself into a frenzy, she simply had to hear “The Secret” right now!
“WOW!” the news the secret held was explosive! Jeri, try as she might, couldn’t pull her mind away from it for a long, long time.
Jeri knew Sally. “I know,” said Jeri half whispering, “I’m going to ask Sally to keep the secret with me, I know I can trust Sally. Sally knew Joann and Joann could be trusted, Joann knew Bridget, Bridget knew Arlene, Arlene knew ________ knew _________ knew _____ and ______ knew me.
I was told “The Secret” in strictest confidence. Do you think it would it be alright for me to share it with you, or don‘t you want to hear it?