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BACK COVER

The Lemming Dilemma introduces the crucial organizational learning discipline of personal mastery—the evolving process of self-awareness that enables people to create new possibilities for themselves and their organizations. In this engaging story, Emmy the lemming wakes up to her own purpose and vision, and defies the age-old urge to follow the other lemmings off the cliff. But Emmy goes far beyond a mere rejection of tradition. Through her own surprising choices, she inspires the other lemmings to wake up to their missions and to pursue their deepest aims and visions—both individually and collectively. In this simply told story are profound lessons about what it means to be the leader of your own life and to share your vision with others. Includes questions for reflection and group discussion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

David Hutchens is passionate about new possibilities for organizations and the people in them. As principal of Iconoclast Communications, he writes, speaks, and consults in the areas of organizational learning and organic change. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife Robbie and daughter Emory. Learn more at www.David.Hutchens.com.

Bobby Gombert is a humorous illustrator and product developer for both corporate and commercial communications. His illustrations have appeared in books, greeting cards, ads, and award-winning political cartoons. He lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife Liana. Learn more about Design G productions at www.bobbygombert.com.

EXCERPTS

Yes, lemmings jump off cliffs. Why do they do this? No one really knows. Some scientists, having nothing better to do, have puzzled over this question for decades. Maybe this behavior is instinctual. Maybe it's culturally conditioned. Whatever the answer, thousands of lemmings the world over continue to march to the edges of cliffs and simply leap into the great unknown.

Among lemmings, this behavior is considered normal. Take, for example, the annual "Great Lemming JumpFest." Rarely witnessed by scientists, this eagerly anticipated event features dancing, barbecue, and Elvis impersonations, and culminates in the "Big Leap."

Lemmings never think about why they jump off cliffs. They just do it.

• • •

Emmy the lemming grew up with a bunch of other lemmings among the rubber trees and crabgrass, just a few miles from the edge of a cliff. These days were filled with laughter and joy. But as Emmy grew older, she, like all the others, began to feel the strange pull toward the edge of the cliff.

All the other lemmings chattered excitedly about the coming JumpFest, and many of Emmy's young friends were even planning to participate this year. But Emmy was troubled. One day, she decided to talk with her friends about the Big Leap.

"Why do we jump off the cliff?" Emmy asked them.

"What do you mean, why? We're lemmings. That's what we're supposed to do, silly!" her friends answered.

But Emmy wasn't satisfied. The next day, she went to speak with the wise elders of the herd.

"Good morning, young lady," said the wise elders. "What may we do for you?"

"I came to find out why lemmings jump off the cliff," Emmy replied.

"Why, that's a mighty big question for such a little lemming," said one, peering over his glasses at her. "Do you have a problem with jumping off the cliff?"

"I don't know. But maybe I'd feel better about it if I just knew why we did it—or why we do anything, for that matter."

The elders nodded their furry little heads. "We understand your concern," they said. "That's why we have flown in a high-priced management consultant, Hans, to help us write a purpose statement for all of the lemmings. Here—read it yourself," they said, handing her a neatly type-set piece of paper. It said:

"The Lemming Purpose Statement: Our purpose is to be value-added lemmings pursuing maximization, implementation, utilization, and blah-blah-blah-ization of total quality, excellence, win/win customer service, continual improvement, et cetera, et cetera. But mainly it's to jump off the cliff."

"There," grinned Hans as he handed his bill to the elders. "Now, no more of this running about asking questions."

Poor little Emmy left feeling more troubled than ever.