It is said that if you keep a solitary crab in a bucket without putting the lid on it will have no trouble escaping. But, if you have a bucket full of crabs, whenever one gets to the top and is about to escape, the rest of the crabs will reach out and pull him back down to the bottom with the rest of them.
That sounds like a lot of workplaces to me, or even networking communities. Someone comes up with a great idea, an innovative solution, or wants to leave for greener pastures, and immediately others come in and “bring them back to earth.” Often with a thud! I’ve also seen a lot of managers subtly sabotage the aspirations of their people because they think that they can’t replace them, so they find ways to keep them where they are through false promises, poor references or terrible advice.
Don’t let that be you. Don’t be a naysayer. When you see someone aspiring to live their dreams, instead of finding ways to bring them back to the pack, encourage them in their endeavours and allow yourself to be inspired by them.
Instead of pulling them back into the bucket, give them a helping hand to get out. When you look around, make sure that you’re not surrounded by crabs. Find people who will assist and guide you to be the best version of yourself. Find people who have escaped the bucket and are living the life that you want.
You may have been impacted by the crab mentality in the past, but that doesn’t need to continue.
Break free and help others to do the same, because we weren’t meant to live in a bucket.
Need a hand up out of your current situation? I’d love to help you out. Pick your day and time at deanstorercoaching.youcanbook.me to chat. I guarantee that you will walk away from our discussion with at least one idea you can start using immediately.
Photo courtesy of Chandler Cruttenden on Unsplash