Life after Coronavirus: Change Management through the Lens of a Monarch Butterfly

If you’re bewildered by life after COVID-19 lockdown, the life cycle of a monarch butterfly should be your blueprint to sustainable change management.

The devastating coronavirus pandemic has plunged the world into a standstill as mother earth orbits the sun elegantly. Besides, nature has blessed humanity with diverse illustrations on how to cope with uncertainties like COVID-19 yet all cues have gone unnoticed in our quest to sanitize insecticides. Although the iconic monarch is native to Northern and Southern America, a classical study of its metamorphosis shall help people across the globe adapt to the new normal. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) undergo four phases of growth namely:

1. The Egg 2. The Caterpillar/Larvae 3. The Chrysalis/Pupa 4. The Adult Butterfly

These distinctive structural and functional alterations occur under discrete stress levels in the environment.

Hence, reflecting on their innate change management prowess will create a reassuring path to growth. The Egg

In the months of February and March, monarch butterflies come out of hibernation to mate and identify a haven for its eggs. The fate of these eggs is faced with weather conditions like temperature, humidity, rainfall and sunlight.

In this case, none of these variables is controlled by the insect in the Order Lepidoptera yet they trust the process. These organisms communicate via pigmentation and secretions — communication channels that are devoid of distortion from the media. Timing is very important to change management. Set out your timelines for action and implement them strategically. The Caterpillar (Larva)

After four days, the eggs of a monarch hatch into a colorful larva. The caterpillar feeds on milkweed with the hope of saving energy and boosting immunity for the next growth stage. At this point, the larva absorbs toxins from the plant and ward off predators with its bright pigmentation. During this period, spiders (fellow insects), lizards, and some birds (grosbeaks and orioles) threaten its survival.

The larva sails through this critical period by advertising its toxicity to potential predators. Particularly, without fore knowledge on predators and detractors, the caterpillar defends its generation through excellent exhibition of its poisonous nature and hops into mandatory quarantine after a fortnight. Many business owners have masked their toxicity with cosmetic showing in this traumatizing moment. In a way, the chances of revival after coronavirus is very lean looking at the economic depression propagated by the tragedy. If you want to start a new venture after this torrid times, critically examine potential partners and clients before committing resources. Activate mechanisms to protect your business as a monarch larva and avoid absurd investment schemes with intriguing commercials. The Chrysalis (Pupa)

Here, the nutrients from the caterpillar stage provide energy for transformation into an adult. Three factors; time, temperature and moisture determine its success. Excessive temperatures may lead to burn out and disintegration. However, desirable moisture levels ensure optimal lapse time to keep lurking pallbearers at bay. The pupa adapts to external forces by inhibiting or enhancing metabolism.

So then, understand that people will invest in you if you know your worth. It is important to translate knowledge acquired during crisis into a sustainable enterprise when restrictions are lifted. With endurance, the functional parts of the butterfly develop to embark on its first flight. Inasmuch as you stick to a game plan, externalities will not affect your progress significant after curfews are lifted. The Adult Butterfly

The caterpillar exits the pupa stage as beautiful butterfly with functional eyes, wings and other appendages. It has no idea bright petals are commercials for pollinators. It has no clue how its first flight will be. By the way, unlike birds, butterflies do not fledge; they trust the process in the twig and take responsibility for their gains or losses. The same predators and naysayers from the egg and caterpillar stage will be hinging around to crush the destiny of the monarchs. Its not fluid mechanics anymore. Time to trial aerodynamics. Personal development is priceless; know your worth!

The monarch butterfly has a lifespan of 4-6 weeks. Although a relatively short span in the eyes of humans, the monarch reveres its successes in previous stages and initiate a critical step. While it gears up to make its flight, a racing chameleon could render havoc with it ballistic tongue (the fastest muscle in the animal kingdom) and terminates its ascendancy. Even if it makes it into midair, the adult butterfly could face the wrath of a Purple Martin, a surgical bird which removes the toxic glands in monarch before ingestion. It is very important to know your environment. Don’t be complacent. Glory without life is gory. In the light of a successful flight, plants undergo pollination as fashion designers get inspired. Failing to adhere to standards could leave a lasting dent on your development. The objective is to become a butterfly not a caterpillar or a pupa. External pressure from doomsayers and competitors may cause you to panic and divulge your strategies. In times like this, change is inevitable. The world is in a constant flux as described by Heraclitus (535 BC). Nothing will forever stay the same. Mother earth is gasping for breath due to pollution, deforestation and climate change.

If you survive this pandemic, don’t forget to plant more trees, protect water bodies and care for biodiversity. This demonstration of perpetual change was inspired by Tom Astle, who has amazing photographs of symbolic species in United States of America and other parts of the word. Click here to experience nature in its purest form.