Yertle the Turtle
a cautionary tale of leadership
We’ve established in previous episodes all I need to learn about life and parenting and my life’s work can be found tattooed on my leg as a Seussian sleeve in the engaging musings of Dr. Seuss.
One of the most powerful lessons Seuss taught us through his seemingly for-children-only musings is found in his book Yertle the Turtle.
Aside: Purportedly Theodor Geisel, AKA Seuss, shared the character of Yertle was meant to represent Adolf Hitler. With Yertle's despotic rule of the pond and takeover of the surrounding area meant to parallel to Hitler's regime in Germany and invasion of Europe.
If you've read Yertle the Turtle, you know it's a cautionary tale for any who have the honor and responsibility of leading people.
Yertle, the king of the pond, is dissatisfied with the stone that serves as his throne and commands the other turtles to stack themselves beneath him so that he can see farther and expand his kingdom.
A turtle named Mack is at the bottom of the pile, bearing the brunt of the suffering and asks Yertle for a respite.
Yertle says no, adds more turtles to his stacked-throne in an attempt to reach as high as the moon and in the end (no spoilers here!) tumbles into the water.
"I know up on top you are seeing great sights, but down here on the bottom, we too should have rights.” Mack the Turtle
What can Yertle teach us about leadership?
🐢 Stop and enjoy the view!
Things start going downhill when Yertle decides that his pretty much perfect pond is not perfect enough.
In the world of work and leadership we all to often grow too busy looking for the next! big! thing! to recognize the results of hard work by our Team.
Stop, drop and find opportunities to give praise.
🐢 Leadership is LISTENING
As leaders of any type/organization it is pivotal we pause and ask our Team what their experience currently is. What’s working? What’s not working? How can we assist? Which leads directly into:
🐢 Team wins over personal wins—always
Yertle's ambition comes at the cost of his whole TurtleTeam. He wants more and bigger and eventually it conspires to lead to his downfall.
As leaders (at home or at work!) it’s crucial we focus on shared goals of the Team and/or company over personal, turtle-stacking aspirations.
🐢 Servant Leadership
On a personal level this is my leadership style and I’ve found it to always work (not without…work).
In the book the character of Mack, the turtle at the very bottom, represents this idea of servant leadership. Leaders who prioritize serving the needs of their followers/Team rather than focus on fulfilling their own ambitions.
I’m the ruler, said Yertle, of all that I see. But I don’t see enough. That’s the trouble with me.
Yertle the Turtle, in its inimitable Seussian way, shares with us tips about leadership, humility and equality.
It's as reminder leading is never really about being on top and often times the strongest leaders eat last (to quote the brilliant Simon Sinek).
Dr. Seuss' Yertle is a reminder it's not about climbing to the top, but about lifting others along with us as we climb.
In the world of leaders, Yertle took his stand
Yet his tumble showed it's not just about command.
With Mack as a guide, a servant leader's call
It's about lifting others—together ALL!