What I Learned From a Muppet

Life's lessons are all around ... if you look for them. One such lesson came from watching The Muppet Show in 1977. Yes, 1977. And it stuck with me for all those years.

In that particular episode, Kermit's nephew Robin is sitting on the middle of a staircase where he sings  ..." I'm not at the bottom. I'm not at the top. So this is the stair where I always stop." For some reason in my teenage brain I saw a parallel to life there. People stopping halfway through or to anything and taking a seat. 

Throughout my career at one of the world's largest companies I observed the same thing. Some stopped halfway up because they wanted to stay close to ground-floor safety. Some got tired as they were out of shape financially, emotionally or otherwise. Some saw the rest of the journey as too daunting and decided to stop. Some were afraid of what was there when they got to the top.

I've seen variations in that in my own companies and in consulting with others.

Perhaps all they need is a little encouragement. Or someone to take them by the hand and lead them the rest of the way. 

Race you to the top!

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