WHAT YOU LIKE TO HEAR, ISN'T ALWAYS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This is a sorta long one but we used it in Executive training. Every CEO, business owner and manager that hears or reads this gets an insight and new perspective on being at the Top.
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"How is it going down there?" barked the big walrus from his perch on the highest rock near the shore. He waited patiently for the good word.
Down below, the smaller walruses conferred hastily among themselves. Things weren’t going well at all, but none wanted to tell the Old Man. He was the biggest and wisest walrus in the herd, knew his business, and hated to hear bad news. Because of his terrible temper every walrus was terrified of his ferocious bark.
The walruses had noticed for several weeks that the bay’s water level had been falling, and it had become necessary to travel much farther to catch the dwindling supply of herring. "What will we tell him?" whispered Basil, the second-ranking walrus. He well remembered how the Old Man had ranted and raved the last time the herd caught less than its quota of herring. He had no desire to go through that experience again.
Finally, Basil spoke up: "Things are going pretty well, Chief." There are tons of fish out there" "As a matter of fact, the beach seems to be getting larger."
The Old Man grunted. "Fine, fine." Great work, keep it up"he said. "That will give us a bit more elbow room." He closed his eyes and continued basking in the sun.
Then came more trouble. A new herd of walruses had moved in. With a dwindling supply of herring, this invasion was serious. No one wanted to tell the Old Man, though only he could take the steps necessary to meet this new competition.
Reluctantly, Basil approached the big walrus, who was still sunning himself on the large rock. After some small talk, he said, "Oh, by the way Chief. A new herd of walruses seems to have moved into our territory." The Old Man’s eyes snapped open, and he filled his great lungs in preparation for a mighty bellow.
But Basil added quickly, "Of course, we don’t anticipate any trouble. They don’t look like herring-eaters to me — more likely interested in minnows. And we don’t bother with them." The Old Man let out the air with a long sigh. "Good, good." he said. "No point in our getting excited over nothing."
Things didn’t get any better in the following weeks. One day, peering down from the large rock, the Old Man noticed that part of his herd was missing. Summoning Basil, he grunted peevishly, "What’s going on, Basil? Where is everybody?"
Poor Basil didn’t have the courage to tell the Old Man that the younger walruses were leaving to join the new herd. Clearing his throat nervously, he said, "Well, Chief, we’ve been tightening things up a bit. You know, getting rid of some of the dead wood. After all, a herd is only as good as the walruses in it."
"Run a tight ship, I always say." the Old Man grunted. "Glad to hear that everything’s going so well."
Before long, everyone but Basil had left to join the new herd, and Basil realized that the time had come to tell the Old Man the facts. Terrified but determined, he flopped up to the large rock, "Chief," he said, "I have bad news. The entire herd has left you."
The old walrus was so astonished that he couldn’t even work up a good bellow. "Left me?" he cried. "All of them? But why? How could this happen?"
Basil didn’t have the heart to tell him, so he merely shrugged helplessly.
"I can’t understand it." The old walrus said. "Everything was going so well!"
MORAL OF THE STORY: Never take yesterdays success for granted, stay involved and Pay Attention to Your Business.
________________________________________________________________________
"How is it going down there?" barked the big walrus from his perch on the highest rock near the shore. He waited patiently for the good word.
Down below, the smaller walruses conferred hastily among themselves. Things weren’t going well at all, but none wanted to tell the Old Man. He was the biggest and wisest walrus in the herd, knew his business, and hated to hear bad news. Because of his terrible temper every walrus was terrified of his ferocious bark.
The walruses had noticed for several weeks that the bay’s water level had been falling, and it had become necessary to travel much farther to catch the dwindling supply of herring. "What will we tell him?" whispered Basil, the second-ranking walrus. He well remembered how the Old Man had ranted and raved the last time the herd caught less than its quota of herring. He had no desire to go through that experience again.
Finally, Basil spoke up: "Things are going pretty well, Chief." There are tons of fish out there" "As a matter of fact, the beach seems to be getting larger."
The Old Man grunted. "Fine, fine." Great work, keep it up"he said. "That will give us a bit more elbow room." He closed his eyes and continued basking in the sun.
Then came more trouble. A new herd of walruses had moved in. With a dwindling supply of herring, this invasion was serious. No one wanted to tell the Old Man, though only he could take the steps necessary to meet this new competition.
Reluctantly, Basil approached the big walrus, who was still sunning himself on the large rock. After some small talk, he said, "Oh, by the way Chief. A new herd of walruses seems to have moved into our territory." The Old Man’s eyes snapped open, and he filled his great lungs in preparation for a mighty bellow.
But Basil added quickly, "Of course, we don’t anticipate any trouble. They don’t look like herring-eaters to me — more likely interested in minnows. And we don’t bother with them." The Old Man let out the air with a long sigh. "Good, good." he said. "No point in our getting excited over nothing."
Things didn’t get any better in the following weeks. One day, peering down from the large rock, the Old Man noticed that part of his herd was missing. Summoning Basil, he grunted peevishly, "What’s going on, Basil? Where is everybody?"
Poor Basil didn’t have the courage to tell the Old Man that the younger walruses were leaving to join the new herd. Clearing his throat nervously, he said, "Well, Chief, we’ve been tightening things up a bit. You know, getting rid of some of the dead wood. After all, a herd is only as good as the walruses in it."
"Run a tight ship, I always say." the Old Man grunted. "Glad to hear that everything’s going so well."
Before long, everyone but Basil had left to join the new herd, and Basil realized that the time had come to tell the Old Man the facts. Terrified but determined, he flopped up to the large rock, "Chief," he said, "I have bad news. The entire herd has left you."
The old walrus was so astonished that he couldn’t even work up a good bellow. "Left me?" he cried. "All of them? But why? How could this happen?"
Basil didn’t have the heart to tell him, so he merely shrugged helplessly.
"I can’t understand it." The old walrus said. "Everything was going so well!"
MORAL OF THE STORY: Never take yesterdays success for granted, stay involved and Pay Attention to Your Business.
Tags: boss, crisis, decisions, employees, executive, leadership, listening, management, teams
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by KARYNE Add me as a friend! on -
This happens way too often in the real world of Business.
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Permalink Reply by KARYNE Add me as a friend! on
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WHAT YOU LIKE TO HEAR, ISN'T ALWAYS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
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Permalink Reply by Nascent Dynamics ( ) on -
Yes, I know plenty of small business owners who are in denial. I think there is a defense mechanism to it. You can steer clear of this by maintaining a focus on results and by keeping lines of communication open/ receptive. In the process improvement world, a lot of people are mentioning the inability of top down leadership to support modern organizational initiatives. In today's ever increasing rate and complexity of change, the competitive business has to be in tune with the lifeblood of demand, and a vigorous student of everything that surrounds it. While involvement and feedback from the bottom up is still debatable, I think there is a definate organizational advantage in it for addressing the challenges of the day better.
Best,
Anthony
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Permalink Reply by Derek Scott on -
In reading this story, I am reminded of the expression "be sure to inspect what you expect". It goes without saying that in order to hit a goal one must have it in plain view. Everyone from the topdown must be accountable for how their efforts contribute to the goal at hand. There seems to be a tendency once one reaches a goal to take their eyes off the prize whether it be to run a successful company or maintain a happy relationship. Since hindsight is 20-20 in most cases, careful consideration should be given on how to systematize the process and take the personality out of the equation altogether. In my opinion, generally, way too credit is given to an individual who more than likely benefited tremendously from the collective effort of many others. Finally, a foundation built on truthfulness and respect in a team or company is less likely to crumble under the stress of change. Change is contant and therefore should always be factored into the equation acheiving and maintaining success. Very stimulating topic. Derek
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Permalink Reply by Krystara-El Kumara on -
Thanks Karyne. Great story. I agree with the moral of this motivational story to not take yesterdays success for granted and to always be mindful and involved with your business. Having a successful business is like taking care of a beautiful plant. It must be watered everyday and given the proper amount of sunlight or it will wither and die. If we can plant seeds to allow a plant to grow, we can also plant seeds of mindfulness and attention to allow our business to grow. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
Blessings,
Krystara
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