So, at my 8-year old's soccer practice last night, I participated in a game of "capture the flag." I was doing fine as the white team captain, directing the kids to go steal balls from the green team, or to guard the jail, or to free some our white team members from the green team's jail. It was a totally new game to me, but the intention is to teach the group of U9 soccer players about team work. Well, I was going to lead a group of players over to the jail to free some of our teammates. I sprinted about 8 steps and felt pain in my right foot. I hobbled back to the white side of the field where I would be "safe."
This morning, I updated my facebook status to include the line, "I'm zombie-walking around the office today." Do you ever watch zombie movies? I can watch a zombie movie in the daytime with distractions like laundry and housekeeping. But it never fails - I'm going to have zombie nightmares. For weeks.
Popular culture has quite a zombie following. We're probably all familiar with zombies from the movies. They're un-dead. Hungry. They have a hive mentality. Sucking the life out of anyone they can grab onto.
I wonder how many offices and comm centers have zombies on staff. Individuals who aren't really contributing in any sort of positive way. Following the group. Lacking leadership skills. Not in a real hurry. Driven by needs and urges. Not looking to improve the situation or find a solution. Just doing what zombies do.
I don't want to be a zombie!!! I want to be a problem solver. A leader. Someone that encourages rather than tears apart. A contributor. Alive and kicking.
Where do you stand on zombies?