The subject of whether or not to step outside your comfort zone comes up often in my conversations with leaders. Most leaders believe they should, at least in principle. But then, every so often, they are faced with a challenging situation or a difficult set of circumstances that dissuades them or gives them cause for pause. And then, they revert to playing it safe. To help mentor them through their decision-making, I often share this story about “Mikey the turtle”, a fable I wrote many years ago. Not surprisingly, it frequently comes in useful.
Mikey the Turtle
Once upon a time there was a turtle called Mikey. Mikey was a very unhappy turtle. He complained bitterly to anybody who would listen, “My life is going nowhere. I never get to visit new places. Nothing exciting ever happens to me. When everyone else goes out and does fun stuff, I always get left behind!”
Every so often another turtle would feel sorry for Mikey and try to help him come out of his shell. But these new friends were short-lived, as swiftly, each one of them gave up in disgust or despair. Mikey watched sullenly while all the other turtles around him achieved their personal and professional goals. Every time he saw another turtle succeed, Mikey would become even more negative, and withdraw even further into his shell. You see, Mikey hadn’t understood the one fundamental concept that every turtle knows: you can go forward only when you stick your neck out.
If you want to achieve more, step outside your comfort zone
When you think about it, humans aren’t that much different from turtles. If you play it safe and stay within your shell, you won’t visit new places, nothing exciting will ever happen to you, and when everyone else goes out to do fun stuff, you’ll get left behind. It’s only when you choose to step outside your comfort zone that you achieve your personal and professional best. Remember, you can go forward only when you stick your neck out.
Do you agree? Or is there value in keeping your head tucked in and staying out of sight? I’d love to know what you think. Please add your comment below.
Merge’s leadership development consultancy has one singular focus – to turn managers into leaders; to help great people become exceptional leaders so that they can turn their people power into real and tangible results. Through her speaking, training, consulting, mentoring and facilitation services, Merge helps leaders in organizations create high-performing workplaces.
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