Run Toward the Roar
To succeed, seek out change and action.
Dr. Emmett Murphy, CEO of the Murphy Leadership Group, teaches a course called “Run towards the roar.” This is a clever play on the tale that prides of lions will sometimes use a specific brand of divide and conquer to capture prey. The older, slower male lions will form a line and roar loudly. The terrified prey will turn tail and run, only to find themselves at the mercy of the faster, stronger lions staring them in the face.
Whether this phenomenon really does happen in nature or is just a cute tale, Murphy’s lesson is that for survival, it is best to run towards the roar. In business (healthcare included) the roar is where the action is, where stuff is happening and where it appears most hectic, and even dangerous.
Taking this “run towards the roar” metaphor further, it means that in order to succeed, instead of fearing and shunning change, one should welcome it and use it as an opportunity for growth. Instead of avoiding the “action” seek it out. Instead of trying to stay under the radar, step up, volunteer, show your face, get engaged.
Think about the changes at work. The person who is better prepared for any eventuality is the one who takes the initiative to be educated and involved. Skills learned during a crisis are often transferable to other situations, including other jobs. The person who is a team player and pitches in during stressful times is the person most likely to be seen as a valuable team player, someone not so easily dispensable.
Running towards the roar prepares you to be a better employee and a better person-not just where you are now, but wherever you end up.