Butterflies and Bumblebees

Borrowing from Harrison Owen, there are two dynamics that occur when you set a group loose to work on a task. 

Some people become bumblebees. Bumblebees don’t like to stay put at any one table or group. They flit from discussion to discussion. They serve an important function because they cross-pollinate ideas from group to group. You may be a Bumblebee.

Some people become butterflies. Butterflies may not join any group or table at all. Butterflies tend to congregate around the coffee service, or maybe outside on the patio. They also serve an important function by creating centers of non-action, where silence can be enjoyed, or some new, unexplored topic may arise. And if we’re very lucky, these may be the taboo topics: the topics that aren’t safe to include in the agenda. You may be a Butterfly.

Whether you stick to the agenda and work on a task or become a bumblebee or a butterfly, just know: you’re still part of the process. 

PS: If you’re interested in how to channel group dynamics, let’s talk. https://calendly.com/brian-lizardbrain/45-min-discovery-call