Have you ever been to Gobbler’s Knob?
Have you ever heard of Gobbler’s Knob?
Maybe its address might make it a little more familiar: Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Ring a bell?
According to the last census taken in the United States, this little town boasts just under 6,000 residents, but this week – Friday, February 2, to be specific – welcomed thousands more who traveled from all over (and millions watching online) to experience the same thing… to meet the same celebrity.
His name is Punxsutawney Phil and he’s a groundhog. A ground hog. A marmot. A rodent. A giant ground squirrel. (Don’t get me started!)
And thousands gather from all over in the middle of the night, in the middle of winter, in the western part of one of the northernmost states… at night, in the middle of winter (Did i say that already?). At the time I’m writing this article (Thursday, February 1) they are planning for it to be 36 degrees when the festivities begin Friday at 3:00am in Punxsatwaney.
They gather from all over to witness a weather forecast. If Phil comes out of his hole and sees his shadow and crawls back inside, it’s six more weeks of Winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, Spring is on its way, and Phil stays outside.
Here’s the kicker: since 1990, Phil’s proclamations have been accurate just 24% of the time. But nobody expects a giant squirrel to accurately predict the weather. That would be foolish. However, we can learn a thing or two from the over-sized rodent.
Kevin Eikenberry, co-developer of the DISC Personality Profile offers one thought in particular: Look more often.
Once a year? Come on Phil. Even people who don’t watch the weather much check out their surroundings more than once a year! Great leaders don’t just engage, they keep their minds [and hearts (my addition)] open to what is going on – in the marketplace, with their organizational culture, and with individuals. This is about more than getting out of the hole; it’s about what you do when you are out. This is an ongoing part of the work of leadership – looking, surveying, and gaining a perspective that is required to lead towards a desired future…
… which for us, means loving, serving, and reaching Brevard County and beyond! (except for the squirrels)