The Lemming Theory may be a bit of an urban legend, but its message on conformity is quite interesting. Supposedly, a cute little furry rodent called a lemming is so dependent on sticking with the crowd that they will follow their little lemming friends right over a cliff and plunge to their death. Perhaps this is why as teenagers, when we wanted to do something completely ridiculous, our parents would ask, “If all your friends were going to jump off a bridge, would you follow them?" I guess in hindsight, we should be thankful for these lemming questions. It probably saved us from dying our hair pink, piercing our eyebrows or worse yet, running off with the circus.
I have to admit, there are times when it would be a heck of a lot easier to be “lemming-like.” For the most part, it does provide a sense of security, belonging and acceptance. You get to be part of a group of people just like you and you don’t have to worry about being judged by others. It does create a nice path of least resistance...right up to the point where the path leads you to your ultimate and not-so-pretty fate. This is where my lemming envy comes to a screeching halt.
Last week, I attended a national conference. Rather than doing our usual wine and dine of clients, we decided to take our entertainment budget and purchase products to make hygiene kits for homeless youth. We went one step further and invited all our friends and competitors to work with us in assembly line fashion to help us reach our goal of creating more than 2,000 kits. In less than two hours, our goal was achieved. Through this event, we freed the lemming.
Now, I am not saying that entertaining clients is deadly. Yet, there is some risk involved when you step outside the traditional lines. Some people might not like veering from the pack. To be nonconforming, you have to be willing to take some risks. In this case, the risks were minimal, but the rewards were phenomenal. All it took was deciding to be a little “lemming-free.”
Hey Sue...we should be thanking you! You were such an incredible help and I think you, like so many, stepped into that room and for a good two hours we were able to give everything we had to a great cause! I hope you will join us in Denver when we do it again!
Posted by: Susan Schneider | May 25, 2011 at 02:43 PM
Anne, I loved not falling onto the Lemming Line! I was absolutely overwhelmed with emotion to watch so many of our friends and many competitors breaking down the "work" barriers for a greater cause!
Posted by: Susan Schneider | May 25, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Pete, thanks for the comment. Aside from the excitement of trying something new, the incredible feelings of giving back to the local community was the high point but I know that you understand that part very well!
Posted by: Susan Schneider | May 25, 2011 at 02:41 PM
As a participant in the assembly event, I have to share with you that it was a pleasure to step out of the busy halls of the conference to focus on someone else's need. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of something special.
Posted by: Sue Carey | May 25, 2011 at 02:20 PM
I enjoyed learning about your un-lemming approach at ERC. Thanks for your example of servant leadership... It is an encouragement to all of us to think and act well. Blessings. Pete
Posted by: Peter Wayman | May 25, 2011 at 09:12 AM