Becoming lion and lamb
On the two selves we each have as humans, and inviting early interest for our new 'Leading Unhurriedly' course
We are made of muscles. We are made of moods.
Every human has a physical, assertive, adult self, where we do our decision-making and initiative-taking. We wear this self like a lion.
Each of us also has a childlike, affective self. Where we are emotional, intimate, and vulnerable. Some of us tend to hide this self, but it is there like a lamb.
Depending on the context we find ourselves in, we might choose to align with one self more than the other. In society, assertion has often been presented as masculine and affection as feminine, but I believe this is a sad splitting of who humans are meant to be.
As the late Catholic priest Henri Nouwen once observed, “When you need only your lion, you will find yourself overextended and exhausted. When you take notice only of your lamb, you will easily become a victim of your need for other people’s attention.”
To be split between our lion and lamb selves is to become either domineering or a doormat. Neither is the final destination of a human being. Neither brings the fountain of life to self or others.
But the human that is finally becoming mature is one that neglects neither lion nor lamb but allows those selves to “freely and fearlessly lie down together” (Nouwen). This is, for those of you who had a Christian upbringing, perhaps calling to mind a picture of heaven.
Regardless of our beliefs and backgrounds, this imagery can be useful to consider in the here-and-now challenges we face on earth. The lion and the lamb lying down together ought not be understood as an esoteric place where there is no flaw, rather a very real and courageous vision where we are experiencing more integration across the whole spectrum of human life - becoming child and adult, vulnerable and assertive, feminine and masculine, following and leading, held and the one doing the holding.
Or put another way, a mature human being.
Johnnie and I have been discussing what kind of traits leaders are in need of as our world spins increasingly into more noise and profound uncertainty. We think what’s needed is more heartfelt connection, skillful giving of attention, and intelligence; or becoming more lion and lamb. This summer we’re thinking of running a course and coaching group on this topic and calling it, ‘Leading Unhurriedly’. If this sounds interesting to you, reply to this email expressing your interest and we can arrange a call to chat more.