Leading Like Hummingbirds
This past Saturday morning, as I do every morning when I finish the morning feeding, I sat on the back porch and watched the cattle head back out to pasture and enjoy the sunrise with my morning coffee. Saturday was special as we now have our flowers all planted which includes a couple of whiskey barrels with flowers specifically for hummingbirds. My bird friends were out in full force this morning (see photos).
I love watching these incredible creatures. During fall, these hummingbirds embark on their migration journey to Central America, including Mexico and the rainforests of Central America, where they spend the colder months, traveling thousands of miles to find suitable wintering grounds. Then in the spring, they return here to breed and feed on our nectar-rich flowers.
I am amazed at the hummingbirds’ Incredible flight skills. They can hover in place, fly backwards, and even upside down. Their wings beat rapidly—around 50 to 80 times per second—creating the characteristic humming sound. This got me thinking how hummingbirds serve as powerful metaphors for great leadership because they embody qualities such as agility, resilience, and adaptability.
Just as hummingbirds swiftly maneuver through complex environments with grace and precision, effective leaders navigate challenges with agility and confidence. Their ability to hover and change direction instantly symbolizes flexibility and openness to new ideas—traits essential for inspiring innovation and guiding teams through change. Additionally, hummingbirds’ relentless energy and persistence mirror a leader’s dedication and passion in pursuing goals.
Hummingbirds represent vibrant, dynamic leadership that is attuned to its environment and capable of inspiring others to thrive amidst complexity.
Byron's Babbles 
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