One day....

In a discussion on Wednesday, a person mentioned “my boss wants me to be professional....” It was that sentence which gave me the idea to the following little story.

A fish was swimming around in the duck pond. Suddenly it saw something glistening. Attracted, it swam closer to investigate. Above the surface he saw an angler. The fish noted that the angler was a figure of authority due to his elevated position and the tools by his side. Sensing this apparent professionalism and being motivated by it, the fish committed himself to becoming a professional fish.

“I don't want to disappoint the angler”, it thought.

The angler, naturally, had noticed the fish and wanted to catch it. Being a professional angler, he devised all kinds of processes and systems to attract the fish and lure him to his line. The fish observed this with increasing fascination and began to gain knowledge, experience and support from his network because he wanted to impress the angler.

Perplexed, the angler started to hire consultants, process engineers and the like. They introduced him to Kaizen, TQM, Six Sigma, Balanced Score Cards and many other value based programs. The angler was now being seen as the leader of the day and as his reputation gained more stature he was ceremoniously appointed Chief Executive Angler at the local fishing club. His position was so important, that his fishing line to attract that one fish had become extremely long. In fact, he no longer could see the point where it crossed into the pond. But he wasn't bothered as, so it seemed, as success appeared to be on his side.

The professional fish, too, had become successful. His influence was well established his experience, ideas, insights had helped him tremendously. He had keen powers of observation and was an active listener.

One day, passing by the now somewhat rusty hook, the fish had a flash of inspiration. It took out a piece of paper and wrote a message, fastened it on the hook, and gave the line a tug.

The angler, at the height of his career, adored by many, but equally disliked, sensed this was the glorious moment he had been striving for. He pulled up the line and saw the piece of paper. On it was the message “I know something you don't!!”

Time passed and both the angler and the professional fish retired. At their respective farewell parties, a wise duck came along. The duck took the angler to one side. “So, what did the fish have to say?”
“I don't know”, replied the Angler, “I never asked”.

Later that evening, the wise duck spoke to the fish.

“Would you have told him?”
“Probably not”, the fish replied.

Communication: fishing and eating, surviving without getting hooked.