On Leadership: The Spider vs. The Web

June 29, 2020

I have found that we marvel at the beauty of intricately woven webs, representing the connectedness of our universe and the fragility of our networks if not cared for and fortified. But let’s consider for a minute, the spider vs. the web. What we can learn from this tenacious creature?

The spider works tirelessness to weave a great tapestry. While the spider knows its creating a web, the spider focuses one step at a time. The spider does not worry about what, precisely, that web will look like in the end. The spider only has a broad goal and works in service of that goal.

It can behoove us to be more like the spider, to work tirelessly toward something that will feed us while remembering that it’s about the process and not necessarily the end result. Especially during these uncertain times, this spider mentality matters more than ever. Companies have to pivot. Leaders have to ask themselves what will feed their company, what is their larger purpose, and how can they uniquely serve. Those leaders that have a broad, meaningful goal have a better chance at creating a stronger, more resilient tapestry.

Enter Caleigh Hernandez, a Spiderwoman Leader whose story I’d like to share.

The other day, a friend of mine asked if I had a recommendation for fashionable COVID masks. I immediately recommended the masks at RoHoGoods.com, Caleigh’s values-based company that sells goods created by skilled female artisans in East Africa, paying them fair wages to help alleviate poverty in their communities. PreCOVID, the bulk of Caleigh’s sales were in sandals. PostCOVID, staying true to her purpose, Caleigh immediately pivoted and began selling masks to support the women of East Africa. As the conversation escalated around racial justice in the United States, Caleigh issued a list of resources to keep this important conversation on the forefront for her consumers. It is clear that tapestry of Caleigh’s company is led, day by day, by her values and her purpose.

On the other side of the spectrum, Anthroloploy is a well known company that sells fashionable masks. However, Anthropology also appears be a company working tireless toward a tapestry that will not feed them in the end. Anthropology, in recent days, has been criticized for being hypocritical. After sharing a series of social media posts in support of Black Lives Matter, the company was accused of racially stereotyping consumers. While Anthropology has vowed to do better moving forward, its current tapestry is flimsy if these allegations are true.

Inspired by Caleigh’s story and our arachnid relatives, I find myself asking several important questions: What purpose is driving me to tirelessly spin a beautiful web? Does this purpose give me the flexibility to authentically pivot? As I pursue my purpose, am I allowing enough space to be able to pivot if desired? What exactly is this purpose?

While I don’t have my answers (yet!) there one thing I know for sure, RoHogoods.com is where I’m buying my masks, not Anthropology!

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