What a Chicken Taught Me About Strength

Greenie the Chicken

I have a flock of chickens and a rooster named Motley. We call them Motley’s Crew — a nod to the 80s, because why not?

And in that flock, there’s one hen who’s… different.

Meet Greenie.

She’s got green legs, a soft heart, and a full-blown crush on my husband. 💗

She follows him around the yard and into the shed, coos when he walks by, hops onto the wheelbarrow like it’s her personal Uber, and melts into his lap like she’s found her safe place.

Greenie’s strength could be defined by her gentle spirit. She doesn’t stir up drama. She’s docile, steady, and easy-going.

But here’s the thing about strengths: when left unguarded, they can flip into weaknesses.

Enter Pepper, our rescue puppy.

When Pepper believes Greenie is a chew toy from a Bark Box, Greenie’s calm, submissive nature isn’t a strength anymore. It leaves her vulnerable and puts her at risk for getting hurt. Pepper has pulled out feathers and rattled her little chicken world more than once.

In the human world, it’s like giving an inch — and the wrong people (or dynamics) take a mile.

This shows up everywhere—in leadership and in co-parenting.

• Your willingness to be flexible can be exploited.

• Your patience can turn into passivity.

• Your generosity can drain you dry.

The shift happens when awareness rises and you move from below the line to above the line.

THRIVE MODEL

👉 Below the line, you reactively give an inch, only to find a mile has already been taken. That’s when you feel victimized.

👉 Above the line, you use boundaries as guardrails to protect your easy-going nature. You stay grounded and intentional, controlling where the mile begins and ends. That balance creates peace, authenticity, and connection.

Here’s the lesson: strength with boundaries is where peace, respect, and leadership thrive.

It’s the same in leadership and co-parenting.

Being flexible, kind, and easy-going is a gift. It prevents unnecessary conflict, builds trust, and models stability. But without boundaries—without guardrails—your strength can leave you trampled.

📌 [The Powerful Perspective] You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

💛 In co-parenting, flexibility without boundaries leaves everyone vulnerable. Take the Co-Parenting Compass Quiz to find out where your guardrails need strengthening so your strengths don’t turn into weaknesses.

👉 In leadership, giving an inch without guardrails can cost you a mile. Explore The Leadership Pathway Program to learn how to set boundaries that protect your strengths.