Butter Together: What Two Frogs Can Teach Teams About Overcoming the Impossible
By Dr. Pia Fitzgerald
Keywords: Overcoming Challenges, Learner Mindset, Workplace Team Dynamics, Problem-Solving in Teams, Resilience at Work
Have you ever felt stuck in an impossible situation where you thought you might as well just give up? Keep reading to see what two frogs can teach individuals and teams about what it takes to overcome the impossible. This story has everything: suspense, a little drama, and even a surprise ending that might make you rethink how you handle challenges at work. I’ve included discussion questions and possible answers in case you want to process this with your team.
WARNING: I took great liberty with use of cheesy humor—as an aspiring humor-ologist, I just jump and see where I land. Feel free to chuckle anyhow.
The Tale
In a quiet little village, nestled among fields and streams, lived two frog buddies named Benny and Geri. One day, while they were hopping around near a farmhouse—because frogs have to keep up with their cardio—they somehow managed to leap right into a deep, narrow bucket of milk. Have you ever felt like you've jumped into something over your head? Well, this was literally that!
So, there they were, staring up at the impossibly high, slippery walls of the bucket. It was as futile as trying to climb a greasy pole—no grip and no hope. They tried to jump out, but every attempt was exhausting. It's like you and me constantly pressing the elevator button even though you know it's not coming any faster (but seriously, why do we do this??).
Benny looked at Geri, who was already starting to look like a frog in serious need of a shot of the hard stuff, and said, "Don't give up, Geri! We have to keep trying. We'll find a way out." Benny had that positivity usually reserved for motivational posters or people who genuinely enjoy kale.
Geri, on the other hand, was slipping into full Eeyore mode. "It's no use, Benny. We're stuck. We're going to drown in a bucket of milk. I knew I should've stayed home today."
But Benny wasn't having it. "No, no, no. We gotta keep moving. Even if we can't jump out, we can at least stay afloat. Maybe something will change!" Classic Benny—thinking movement alone would fix everything, like that guy in the office who believes rearranging the papers on his desk is the same as actually getting work done (…but clearing clutter is a start😊).
Hours passed, and Benny kept paddling furiously. Geri, watching Benny's determination, finally decided to keep moving too, if only because she didn't want to go down as the lazy frog in this story. They churned and churned, creating all sorts of chaos in that milk.
And then something started to happen. All that frantic paddling was actually doing something useful! The milk began to thicken and churn into butter. That's right: these frogs went from drowning victims to dairy farmers in one weird twist of fate.
Before long, they weren't paddling in liquid anymore—they were standing on a solid hunk of butter. With one last synchronized leap, they hopped out of that bucket to freedom!
Out of breath but feeling victorious, Geri turned to Benny and said, "You saved us, Benny. If it weren't for your persistence, we'd be toast—buttered toast."
Benny, still catching his breath, grinned. "We saved each other, Geri. Sometimes, the only way out of a sticky situation is to keep moving —even if you have no clue what you're doing!"
Frog Story Adaptation-Original Source Unknown
Moral of the Story
In life, just like Benny and Geri, we often find ourselves in situations that feel impossible to escape. These situations could be a challenging project, a conflict with a colleague, or a major setback at work. The difference between sinking and swimming lies in our mindset.
We have two paths to choose from: the Judger Path or the Learner Path (Adams, 2016). The Judger sees the high, slippery walls and decides there's no way out, giving in to doubt, criticism, and resignation—just like Geri at first. This mindset stops us from finding solutions and keeps us stuck, focusing on what's wrong and playing the blame game (2016).
Conversely, the Learner —like Benny—chooses curiosity, openness, and persistence (Adams, 2014). The Learner asks, "What can we do? How can we adapt?" Even when there is no clear solution, the Learner keeps moving, trying, and staying open to new possibilities. They trust that movement, effort, and collaboration might make the situation more solid—like butter!
For work teams, this fable reminds us that adopting a Learner mindset over a Judger mindset can make all the difference. When faced with challenges, teams that keep moving, stay open, and maintain a spirit of collaboration can find unexpected solutions—even in situations that initially seem hopeless.
So, the next time your team is stuck in a "bucket of milk," remember: don't freeze up like the Judger; instead, keep churning with the Learner's mindset. You never know when that effort might turn things around and give you the platform to leap to success!
Discussion Questions and Answers
1: How does the Judger mindset impact a team's ability to find solutions in challenging situations?
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2. In what ways can adopting a Learner mindset transform a seemingly hopeless situation at work?
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3. What specific actions did Benny take that helped change the situation, and how can teams apply these actions when facing their own challenges?
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4. How can this fable inspire our team to tackle our current challenges more collaboratively?
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Adams, M. G. (2016). Change your questions, change your life: 12 powerful tools for leadership, coaching, and life. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
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