The penny-farthing, or more appropriately "the boneshaker," grew in popularity in the late 1800s. The larger the front wheel, the faster it could go. But regardless of the size difference, both wheels were necessary. The downside of course, were the cobblestone streets and no brakes, hence the name, "boneshaker."
Like a lot of things, I see people when I see the penny-farthing. Some people are big wheels that require a lot of spokes. As the wheel rolls along the road, the spokes that actually carry the load are either stressed or compressed as they alternate between pushing and pulling the load. Then there is that little wheel in the back that is so necessary to maintain the balance and stability of the big wheel. It may be smaller and have fewer spokes, but is so vital to the integrity of the bike.
Do you think of yourself as a big wheel, a little wheel, or spoke in your organization. Who is sitting in the driver's seat pushing the petals and turning the handlebar? Are you a spoke in the big wheel ready to take the weight of the driver as he or she makes the next turn, or are you a little wheel who will dutifully follows the big wheel adding stability and integrity, regardless of the direction? Who spins your wheel anyway? Where do you fit in? Think about it.
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