The Skin of a Tiger, The Heart of a Mouse

“People won't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

~ Chuck Ewart

I was recently reminded of a tale about a mouse who was terrified of cats until a magician agreed to transform him into a cat. That resolved his fear…until he met a dog, so the magician changed him into a dog. The mouse-turned-cat-turned-dog was content until he met a tiger – so, once again, the magician changed him into what he feared. But when the tiger came complaining that he had met a hunter, the magician refused to help. “I will make you into a mouse again, for though you have the body of a tiger, you still have the heart of a mouse.”

How many of us would admit that we are in the skin of a tiger but our heart is that of a mouse? We are tough on the outside but we are afraid to follow through with action of the same stature. We want to be direct and honest with those we lead, but we want to avoid conflict. Or how about the other extreme - you lead by shouting, yelling and throwing tantrums and lack the courage to admit you are wrong. Or lack the courage to put aside your pride and exhibit patience and kindness, to simply say "I'm sorry" or "I don't know".

We probably can all relate to leaders (or people in leadership positions) who have exhibited these behaviors. All through the life of such leaders one skin is traded for another. With every new skin comes new responsibilities or positions that make these leaders feel like they are a cat, dog or tiger, but fundamentally inside they might remain a mouse, lacking important courage.

Each new position or title might impress people initially, and a leader might feel like he or she has power. However, great leaders don't seek power for the hope that it will provide more recognition, honor, and glory. Or a skin for the hope it will provide more courage. True leaders seek to positively affect the lives of others. Great leaders have the skin of the tiger in terms of position, but they also have the heart as well. They do things because it is the right thing to do regardless of how difficult it might be. They act with courage because they care.

A leader can change his or her skin as often as they would like, but a leader's integrity, character and heart will have to be intact with the skin in order to be effective.

I hope you have found to love the skin you're in. If not, are you seeking that new position, role, or next level for the right reasons? How will it effect those around you? How will it effect those you lead and influence, whether they be coworkers, spouses, kids, or friends? Whatever the case may be, lead with courage, lead with honesty, and lead with integrity.

As my momma always told me, "boy, you're never too big to say I'm sorry." I hope you create a culture of positive influence in whatever you do. I know that if you show those you work with and those you are around how much you care, they will amaze you with the lengths they will go to to support you. And, I know our community will be better off because of it!

I'm looking forward to your success!


* This article was originally printed in the Sunday, August 17, 2014 issue of The Chronicle's "Planting Seeds" column.