Lead Boldly And More Like A Chicken

Leadership lessons from the coop?

It might sound a bit strange, but I’ve learned more than I ever expected from our chickens. These little birds, who once seemed like a simple farm addition, have become teachers of some surprisingly powerful lessons in leadership, resilience, and adaptability.

Back Story:

For years, I was 100% against the idea of having chickens in the backyard. My wife, however, had a vision for sustainable living—one that included a chicken coop. 

I had zero experience with farm life, and managing chickens while wrangling three energetic boys seemed like a big challenge. But then, a friend dropped off 15 chickens (yes, 15), and suddenly there was no turning back. We built a coop, set up a feeding system, and slowly adjusted to life with our feathered friends.

What I didn’t expect was how these chickens would end up teaching me some valuable leadership lessons—ones that apply just as much to life and business as they do to raising hens. 

Here are five leadership lessons I’ve learned from our flock.

Big Ideas:

1. Establishing Authority: The Pecking Order
   Chickens have a natural pecking order. In our flock, it’s Debbie the hen who leads with authority. She’s fierce, and protective, and keeps her team in line.
   This is a powerful reminder for us as leaders: establish your authority, but also protect and empower your team. Just like Debbie, great leaders watch over their people, ensuring safety and support while enabling them to thrive.

2. Embracing New Beginnings: A Fresh Start Every Day
   Every morning, the chickens greet the day with energy and enthusiasm, no matter what the weather.
   This is a great lesson for leadership—each day is a fresh start. We can get bogged down by setbacks, stress, and deadlines, but approaching each new day with curiosity and optimism can energize both you and your team.

3. Protecting Hard Work: Guard What You’ve Built
   Chickens are incredibly protective of their eggs. They’ll sit on them for hours, guarding their hard work and protecting it from harm.
   As leaders, we need to do the same for what we’ve built. Whether it’s a project or a new idea, we must protect it from distractions and setbacks and ensure that our team’s hard work is safeguarded.

4. Boldness and Initiative: The Risk-Takers Get Rewarded
   Some chickens, like our orange hens, are bold and adventurous. They lead the flock to new grazing spots and always find the best treats.
   The same is true in leadership—fortune favors the bold. Leaders who take initiative and push boundaries are the ones who create new opportunities and inspire others to do the same.

5. Adapting to Change: The Seasons Change, So Should You
   Chickens are incredibly intuitive when it comes to adapting to the changing seasons. Whether it’s summer or winter, they instinctively adjust their behavior to stay comfortable.
   In leadership, change is inevitable. The best leaders are those who can adapt their approach as circumstances shift, whether it’s changes in the market, team dynamics, or company priorities. Staying nimble is key to sustainable success.

3 Power Questions:

1. What is your team’s “pecking order”? How do you lead with authority and protect your people?

2. How can you approach each day with the same enthusiasm as the chickens? What might you need to leave behind to embrace a fresh start?

3. What are you protecting? Is there a project, idea, or initiative you need to guard from distractions and setbacks?

These chickens have taught me more than I expected. If we take the time to observe and reflect, we can find leadership lessons in the most unexpected places—even in the coop. 

So, as you go about your week, think about what your “Credit Union flock” can teach you. 

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