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Aesop’s Fables – the Bat and the Weasels
Welcome to another one of Aesop’s wonderful fables – a challenging story about the Bat that stretches the truth in different directions to try and avoid being eaten. I confess that my young T had some real issues with this and asked me more than once, “Daddy, why is the Bat lying?” Not an easy question to answer…but once I had my light globe moment, I replied that this story is actually much more complex than first seems.
I’m not sure that T agreed with me, but I like to think that Aesop is teaching us, as readers, a few subtle Leadership lessons – to think carefully about what we, as individuals and leaders, really stand for…to think broadly and not rush to judgement…to look at the reasons why a person made a decision, before responding rashly…to be clear about the whole story before making a snap judgement. I also like the idea that as leaders, we often find ourselves in tricky situations that demand nimble thinking and a willingness to adapt quickly to changes in circumstances, whilst remaining true to our core beliefs, our authentic selves. T still thinks the Bat lied, but I think it’s a little more complex than that, so I’m going to pull rank on her, just this once!
Let’s see what you think.
The Bat and The Weasels
A Bat who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused, saying that by nature he was the enemy of all birds.The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse, and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel, whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice. The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped.
The moral of the story? This fable strikes me as far more complex than it first seems and when I reflect on it, I can sense it speaking to me at a couple of levels. A popular interpretation is that “it is wise to turn circumstances to good account”, but i see it in another light. The story challenges me to look at my own conduct (“Am I being true to my core values? Am I being authentic? Are my actions grounded in my core principles, regardless of circumstance?”) and also at the context within which my stakeholders work (“Why is my Sponsor acting that way? What is the Steering Group dealing with that has influenced their decision?”).
Looking Inwards – Is My Leadership Authentic?
Miss T had a real issue with the Bat “lying” to the Weasels; she thought that the Bat should have taken a position and remained true to that throughout – “Daddy, the Bat is a bat, not a bird”. Whilst I really do understand T’s thinking here, she take a strong, literal “black and white” position whereas I think that in the context of Leadership things are a little more complex. Situations are fluid and change rapidly, we have to respond to often conflicting priorities and demands and try as we might, we rarely get the steady, peaceful state where everything…is just…right. Lets face it, that just NEVER happens!
So how do we deal with such a volatile environment? How do we chart a leadership course when it seems that things are changing around faster than we can get our heads together? How can the Bat prosper whilst dealing with existential threats from different directions?
The challenge is to remain authentic; to make sure that our leadership actions are rooted in a strong, unyielding sense of who we are and what we stand for. I have great sympathy for the Bat and can imagine myself in that situation, focussing all my energy on simply surviving. At the core of the Bat’s sense of authenticity is that desire to stay alive. That is the fundamental point around which his actions revolve.
Looking Outwards – What Is The Leadership Context?
We are often really quick to judge someone based on what we see or hear at first glance. The Bat says he’s a bird so we automatically assume he’s lying. Our Sponsor requests the team take ANOTHER change in direction and we assume she can’t make a decision.
But Aesop encourages us to look at contet before rushing to judgement.
WHY is the Bat saying he’s a bird? It turns out that he’s fighting to stay alive. Sounds like a good reason to me!
WHY is our Sponsor making yet more changes? Well, she has had her funding allocation reduced and wants to focus on the outcomes that give her the best bang for her scarce buck.
Context. Circumstance. These are critical to balanced, effective leadership decision-making.
As a leader, how quick are you to form a judgement and how reluctant are you to change that opinion? How do you respond where the context in which a decision is made forces you to look at someone or something in a different light?
Bringing It All Back Home
This is a great opportunity to reflect on our own personal leadership journeys and to ask ourselves those same questions that Aesop poses.
How does this fable strike you? Does the Bat’s dilemma resonate with you? Do you recognise the authentic Bat underneath the changing stories? How does your opinion of the Bat change when you reflect on the wider context – that he is constantly surrounded by hostile Weasels who are higher up in the food chain?
So if we place the Bat in our own personal contexts, let’s ask ourselves those same questions again.
Are you true to a fundamental, authentic view of yourself, rooted in core values and principles? Although your actions may change in light of circumstances, are they grounded in that singular, authentic self? Do you look at others in your community and rush to judgement, or do you take into account the context in which they act? Do you take the time to understand why your team member or stakeholders are acting or speaking the way they do?
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Any thoughts, different opinions…all are welcome.
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