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Wrestling with Alligators

By Rod Johnson

OpEdNews.com's MBHS Mind, Body, Heart Spirit Transformation Report

A couple times a week I sit down with my son to watch The Jeff Corwin Experience or The Crocodile Hunter on Animal Planet TV.  Recently, Jeff Corwin has hosted a reality TV program called, King of the Jungle.  The press release states, “12 Men and Women with Backgrounds as Animal Experts Compete in Thrilling Challenges to Win Their Own Show on Animal Planet.”

The setting for King of the Jungle places contestants in real life situations and are judged on their skills relating to knowledge, on-screen presence, physical ability, and their capability to work under pressure.  I happened to watch Day 7 of the show when only 6 participants remained.  One of the goals for the day – removal of a 6-foot alligator from a grassy field, and placing it in a crate for transport to a new habitat.  The second part – provide a compelling on-camera story surrounding the various aspects of the: who, what where, why and how of the situation.

As I sat watching the program, it became apparent that the participants were more adept and interested in wrestling alligators, than they were about telling the story surrounding the event.  Each participants dialogue was generally weak, and their ability to engage their audience in a journey of excitement and intrigue lacking.  But the anticipation of wrestling an alligator, now that was a component that seemed exhilarating to all.

If we were to look inside many organizations, their inclination is to wrestle with alligators.  When staring into the jaws of a dangerous-looking management challenge, our proclivity is to take control of the situation.  Identify the barrier, and then blast away.  All the time, leading the charge as if we were wrestling an alligator.  But as the producer of King of the Jungle pointed out, this doesn’t make for good TV (nor does it make for a strong leadership style).  The host (leader) must engage their audience through their participation and then commit to telling a compelling and memorable story. 

Whether you’re a leader or an alligator wrestler, the goals should be the same.  Guide your team toward a successful outcome, and provide the dialogue from which everyone can learn a valuable lesson. 

Happy Alligator Hunting