Vista Development: Lessons from Frogs

Lessons from Frogs

Insight on decision making from amphibians.

There is much we can learn from frogs about the process of decision making and subsequent execution.

Frog Lesson #1: Hot Water

It's been said that if you take a frog, and place it in cool water and gradually turn up the heat, the frog will literally boil to death before it would jump out of the pot of steaming water. But, take a frog and throw it into a pot of boiling water, that frog will instantly jump out.

Like the frog, our survival instincts are more likely triggered by sudden changes than subtle ones. How is the water temperature where you're sitting? Is it comfortable? Or have you simply adapted to it? What subtle changes are you ignoring? What are you pretending not to notice?

How frequently do you monitor trends and their potential effects on your business? If you don't, how likely will you be to make a timely response?

A thorough strategic planning process can help to shine a light on subtle changes that potentially threaten prosperity.

Frog Lesson #2: The Riddle

There are five frogs sitting on a floating log. Three decide to jump off. How many are left on the log?

The Answer

The answer is five!

There is a significant difference between deciding and actually jumping.

Decisions are nice. Vacillation can be perilous. Execution is essential. Decisions made without accountability and commitment to target dates can leave you sitting on a drifting log that is approaching the falls. What decisions have been on your agenda for over six months? Has frog-like behavior been getting in the way?

Adapted from the book:

Tom Lemanski of Vista Development serves as an executive coach and performance facilitator for strategic development of SMARTer executives, managers and sales professionals.

Helping clients with effective decision making and execution.

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