Leadership Lessons from My Rooster, Alan Jr.

Mar 19

3/19/2025

When we first pulled up to what would become our future home, the first thing I noticed wasn’t the house—it was the chicken coop. It was adorable, and several chickens were already living there. I immediately asked the realtor, “Does the house come with the chickens?” Lucky for me, it did!

I had never owned chickens before—just your standard house pets—but I was eager to learn something new. Over time, my original girls (whom I called the OGs) began to fly off to heaven, and right before the COVID lockdown, I decided to bring in six new hens. Or so I thought.

Apparently, I had actually purchased five hens and one rooster.

If you’re as clueless as I was, here’s a fun fact: most stores will tell you their chicks are about 98% sexed, meaning there’s always a small chance you could end up with a rooster or even all roosters. Roosters tend to get a bad rap, and after my second accidental rooster, I started doing some research. I learned that they are among the most mistreated animals—often culled, abandoned, or given away to people who may not have the best intentions. I gained a whole new respect for them. I’ve even though to expand my coop and take roosters who need a home - but I’m sure my neighbors would really hate me then.

So, when I realized I had a rooster, I wasn’t sure what to do. Instead of rehoming him, I decided to embrace it and see if I could make him nice. I held him, brought him outside to sit with me in the sun, gave him treats, and talked to him—a lot. (I’m sure my neighbors think I’m crazy.) I couldn’t bring myself to do anything to harm him, though I’ll admit that when he was extra cranky, I lightly threatened him. But I think we both knew I didn’t have the heart to act on it.

My hens all had names inspired by influential women—Oprah, Ruth, Pink, Aretha, Rosa, Diana, Reese, Dolly, and more. And I cried every time one of them passed. But when it came time to name my rooster, nothing seemed to fit. Then, as I looked at my husband—who isn’t exactly thrilled about my chicken-raising hobby—I had an idea. I named my rooster Alan Jr. after him. Both are loved by me, both are cute, I’ll never leave either one, and both can, at times, be a assholes.

Alan Jr. was a great rooster—when he wasn’t in one of his moods. He showed the hens where to find food, protected them, and, of course, made sure the entire neighborhood knew when it was time to wake up. His crow wasn’t the typical cock-a-doodle-doo either—it sounded more like he was screeching, “FREE BIRD! FREE BIRD!” every morning.

Sadly, Alan Jr. passed away this weekend. I knew he was slowing down—he wasn’t crowing as much—and he went peacefully in the night.

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about roosters, but what surprised me most was how much Alan Jr. unknowingly taught me more about leadership, stakeholder management, and the delicate balance between authority and care. Sure, I’ve been in project management for years, leading teams and navigating stakeholder relationships. But here are three powerful lessons Alan Jr. reminded me of:

Lesson 1: Protect Your Team, But Let Them Thrive

Alan Jr.’s first priority was always the safety of his flock. He was vigilant, quick to respond to threats, and never hesitated to put himself in harm’s way—including charging at me when he deemed it necessary. But he never hovered—he gave his hens the freedom to roam, forage, and thrive under his watchful eye.

Takeaway: Great leaders create a safe environment where their teams can do their best work. They remove obstacles, advocate for their people, and provide support without micromanaging. A leader’s job isn’t to control—it’s to protect and empower.

Lesson 2: Establish Order with Stability & Fairness

Roosters naturally enforce structure within a flock—it’s called the “pecking order.” Alan Jr. maintained stability, set boundaries, and intervened when necessary. But he wasn’t authoritarian—he led with consistency, not fear. Even when he challenged me as an intruder or as someone beneath him in the pecking order, I made it clear: “Not today, Mother Clucker!”

Takeaway: Strong leaders set clear expectations, provide structure, and foster a culture of accountability. People perform best when they understand their roles and trust their leader to be fair and consistent. Stability creates confidence, which drives success.

Lesson 3: Lead with Care, Not Just Authority

Despite his commanding presence, Alan Jr. wasn’t just a protector—he was a provider. He found food for his hens (or at least pointed to where I had put it) before eating himself. He kept them calm with reassuring sounds. His leadership wasn’t just about enforcing rules; it was about serving his flock

Takeaway: The best leaders balance authority with empathy. They don’t just lead for the sake of power; they lead because they care. Servant leadership—putting the needs of the team first—builds trust, loyalty, and long-term success.

Losing Alan Jr. reminded me that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about actions, presence, and responsibility. He led not because he sought power, but because his flock needed him. He protected, structured, stabilized, and cared for his team—qualities that define the best human leaders as well. I’ll admit the coop seems a little sad without him but I’m sure one of the other strong hens will jump to the top of the pecking order now - at least until I get another rooster.

Whether in a boardroom, managing a project, or building a startup, the principles of strong leadership remain the same: