Stuck In The Mud
![A leadership cartoon of a penguin in a tar pit is trying to dig themself out with a spade and is getting more stuck while saying, "No thank you, I can dig myself out". Another penguin outside the tarpit leans forward trying to help. -Original artwork byLeeSampson.](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Stuck-in-the-mud-768x768.png)
Some situations are so sticky the more you try to dig yourself out of them, the higher the probability of becoming more stuck.
Freedom from what is trapping you is seldom found in what is trapping you.
Some situations are so sticky the more you try to dig yourself out of them, the higher the probability of becoming more stuck.
What can compound the self-help mindset can be pride, shame, embarrassment, guilt or even the positive intention of not wanting to make your problems somebody else’s.
We all have the potential to find ourselves in these situations, but this can become a tragic, spiralling trap for people in positions we look up to, such as leadership.
There are times when relying on someone standing on firmer ground to provide direction and assistance is the smart thing to do.
The ability of leaders to be honest with themselves is equally as important as being honest with others.
We all need a hand from time to time. It takes courage, wisdom and insight to normalise this fact.
If, like me, you feel good leadership can make the world a better place for everyone and you want to see more of my work, click the following icon on my profile, Lee Sampson and join over 3,000 others getting a daily dose of fun and thoughtful penguin cartoons in their LinkedIn feed.
![Photo of Lee Sampson](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/profileImage-150x150.png)
Lee Sampson
If you are someone who enjoys introspection and self-reflection that is delivered with a touch of art and humour, then you have come to the right place. Finding the humour in shared relatable experiences and highlighting how much we have in common is what motivates me.