Innovation
& Team work wins the race
A hare and a tortoise live in Ahmedabad.
They are good friends and like all good friends , sometimes have a dig at each
other. One day , in a light mood the hare ridiculed the tortoise for his slow
pace. The tortoise reacted by challenging the hare for a race between Paldi to
Navarangpura. On the appointed day and time the two assemble at the starting
line and start the race. The hare dashes off the start line like a flash. After
crossing the midway mark , he feels that a short nap would do no harm. The
short nap turned out to be a bit too long. Meanwhile the tortoise crosses the
hare and reaches the destination. The hare wakes from the slumber, oblivious of
the time, and dashes off towards the finish. To his dismay he finds the
tortoise having a nap at the finish line.
The
moral of the story is "Slow and steady wins the race."
The
story does not end here.....
The hare goes home and soon understands
that complacency and overconfidence were the reasons of his defeat. He vows not
to repeat the mistake again. He then
invites the tortoise for another race.
The tortoise agrees to his friend’s request. They meet at the appointed day and
time at the starting point. The race starts. This time the hare dashes off to
the finishing line without taking a break and wins the race comfortably.
The
moral of the story is "Fast and steady wins the race".
The
story does not end here.....
The tortoise goes home and thinks
hard. He was aware that the hare cannot be defeated in speed. He then ponders
over his core competence. At last he
finds a solution and invites the hare to another race. This time the course is
changed. It is from Paldi to Airport. The hare agrees. At the appointed day and
time the two meet at the start line and the race begins. The hare dashes off
like a flash. Soon he arrives at the banks of river Sabarmati and is
overwhelmed by a
sense of dejection as he
did not know how to swim. The tortoise comes to the bank , looks at the hare with sympathy and coolly gets into
the water. He swims to the other side goes to the airport and comes back.
The
moral of the story is "Core competence wins the race."
But
the story does not end here.....
Both the friends decide it was enough
of racing against each other. Why not think hard and find a way by which they
together could travel from Paldi to airport at the minimum possible time.
At the end of a brain storming session
they come out with a solution and decide to try out the next morning. At the
appointed time they meet at the
starting line. The tortoise sits on the back of the hare. The hare dashes off
form Paldi to the banks of Sabarmati. There the hare gets on the back of the
tortoise and the tortoise swiftly crosses the
river. On reaching the other side the tortoise again sits on the back of the
hare. The hare runs as fast as he can to the airport. Thus they both reach
airport in the fastest possible time.
The moral of the story is "Innovation and team work
wins the race"
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Lessons from Geese
'Individual
empowerment results from quality honking'
Lessons
from Geese provides a perfect example of the importance of teamwork and how it
can have a profound and powerful effect on any form of personal or business
endeavour. When we use these five principles in our personal and business life
it will help us to foster and encourage a level of passion and energy in
ourselves, as well as those who are our friends, associates or team members.
It is essential to remember that teamwork happens inside and
outside of business life when it is continually nurtured and encouraged.
Lesson 1 - The Importance
of Achieving Goals
As
each goose flaps its wings it creates an UPLIFT for the birds that follow. By
flying in a 'V' formation the whole flock adds 71 percent extra to the flying
range.
Outcome
When
we have a sense of community and focus, we create trust and can help each other
to achieve our goals.
Lesson 2 - The Importance
of Team Work
When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the
drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back to take advantage of
the lifting power of the birds in front.
Outcome
If
we had as much sense as geese we would stay in formation with those headed
where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to
others.
Lesson 3 - The Importance
of Sharing
When
a goose tires of flying up front it drops back into formation and another goose
flies to the point position.
Outcome
It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks. We should respect
and protect each other's unique arrangement of skills, capabilities, talents
and resources.
Lesson 4 - The Importance
of Empathy and Understanding
When a goose gets sick, two geese drop out of formation and
follow it down to the ground to help and protect it.
Outcome
If we have as much sense as geese we will stand by each other
in difficult times, as well as when we are strong.
Lesson 5 - The Importance
of Encouragement
Geese
flying in formation 'HONK' to encourage those up front to keep up with their
speed.
Outcome
We need
to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups and teams where there is
encouragement, production is much greater. 'Individual empowerment results from
quality honking'
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Another
story about Geese
A
flock of wild geese had settled to rest on a pond. One of the flock had been
captured by a gardener, who had clipped its wings before releasing it. When the
geese started to resume their flight, this one tried frantically, but vainly,
to lift itself into the air. The others, observing his struggles, flew about in
obvious efforts to encourage him; but it was no use.
Thereupon,
the entire flock settled back on the pond and waited, even though the urge to
go on was strong within them. For several days they waited until the damaged
feathers had grown sufficiently to permit the goose to fly.
Meanwhile,
the unethical gardener, having been converted by the ethical geese, gladly
watched them as they finally rose together and all resumed their long flight.
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