by Gundula Welti
06 Apr 2020
Tiger or hen?
The question in the title isn’t some kind of weird Chinese horoscope, it refers to an Indian proverb:
A man chased by a tiger runs faster than a man chased by hens!
Hens’ teeth being notoriously scarce, it stands to reason that a tiger is much more likely to make you take to your heels!
Metaphorical tigers have a role to play in all areas of your life. They might take the form of demanding parents, a micromanaging boss, challenging friends or a pushy partner. All these people are going to make you progress more quickly in life than if you were sitting comfortably on your sofa surrounded by kindly hens all laying eggs for you!
A large dollop of kindness is of course one of the foundation stones for long-lasting success. But our friends in India, a country with a population of 1.3 billion, are well acquainted with the metaphorical tiger. In India, they run very fast and achieve incredible levels of development.
What about you? Are you surrounded by hens who lay their eggs for you? Do you need a tiger to make you progress more quickly?
by Gundula Welti
06 Apr 2020
The woman in the shadows
The members of our entrepreneurs’ club have all gathered together in a small theatre for an introductory course on improvisation, the entrepreneur’s secret weapon.
On stage, with the lights shining in our eyes, we are repeating a sentence that a voice from the darkness of the auditorium is telling us to say. Say it as if you were angry, say it with a Chinese accent, say it like a 2-year-old child, say it after you’ve had a drink or two!”
We’re all laughing at each other’s amazing improvisations, we laugh along with the audience and most of all we laugh at our own boldness. All this time, Christelle remains in the shadows. However, without her, none of this would be possible.
She tells us that she has learnt an incredible amount about the world of theatre during the course of her career. Although she never made it in the acting profession, she carved a place for herself “in the shadows”, playwriting, talent spotting, and sharing her passion with people like us.
The pride that she clearly feels in her offstage role is inspirational, and reminds us that we don’t have to do everything ourselves. Christelle Rizzuto’s job is to make others shine.
What about you? Who would you like to propel centre stage, while remaining in the shadows yourself?
by Gundula Welti
06 Apr 2020
Two monks
Two monks are about to cross a river when a pretty young woman approaches.
She also needs to cross but is frightened of the fast-flowing water. The oldest monk offers to carry her on his back.
Once they reach the other side, she thanked him and left. The youngest monk scolds the other for what he has done: “You should be ashamed of yourself for having touched that woman’s body! ”
They continue on their way. When they reach the monastery, the young monk once again confronts the other and says, “I’m going to report you for your behaviour”.
Surprised, the other monk replies, “What are you talking about?”
“You carried a woman on your back, and you know that we are forbidden to do that!”
“Ah! That! You see, my young friend, I left that woman on the riverbank.
You, on the contrary, are still carrying her! ”
What are you still carrying on your back that you need to put down?
by Gundula Welti
06 Apr 2020
The story of the sad king
Un grand roi était pris de tristesse. Aucun médecin n’était capable de l’aider et son état s’aggrava jour après jour.
Un jour un homme se présenta au château, expliquant qu’il était paysan, observateur de la nature et qu’il était venu pour aider le roi. Les conseillers rigolèrent et lui expliquèrent que le roi ne se faisait pas soigner par des gens comme lui. L’homme s’assit alors et attendit patiemment.
L’état du roi empira encore et sa tristesse ne semblait plus en finir. Alors les conseillers laissèrent le paysan entrer. Sans un mot il s’approcha du roi et lui fit cadeau d’une bague en bois. Le roi regarda l’inscription, la glissa à son doigt et sourit pour la première fois depuis des mois.
« Votre majesté, que dit l’inscription de la bague ? » voulurent savoir les conseillers. « Juste 3 mots » – répliqua le roi : « Cela, aussi, passera ».
Quand vous êtes triste ou malheureux, rappelez-vous simplement que cela, aussi, passera.
by Gundula Welti
06 Apr 2020
The parable of the little rabbit
The parable of the little rabbit appears in the book “Soar with your Strengths”. On his first day at school, the little rabbit starts learning to run and jump. He goes home delighted with how well he’s done, and can’t wait for his next day at school.
However, the next day the teachers cancel the running and jumping lessons, because the rabbit could already do both of them. They got him doing swimming and flying instead, two activities that he has zero aptitude for. The little rabbit goes home frustrated and wants to give up school altogether.
This parable, unfortunately, describes exactly what happens in our education system and in many organisations. It’s important to be aware of your weaknesses and to have a broad education, to learn how to write, to have a knowledge of maths and other basics. But it is absolutely crucial to know your strengths and to cultivate them.
It is important to spend time on our weaknesses to be able to survive in the world. But it is essential to invest in our strengths in order to prosper.
What strengths have you not invested enough time in to ensure that you prosper?