The nature of things

Two Buddhist monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion that was drowning. One monk immediately scooped it up and set it back on the bank. In the process he was stung. He went back to washing his bowl and again the scorpion fell in. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung. The other monk asked him, "Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know it's nature is to sting?"

"Because," the monk replied, "it is my nature to save it."

Another version of this story describes a fox who agrees to carry a scorpion on its back across a river, but only on the condition that the scorpion does not sting him. 'If you sting me, I will be unable to swim and we will both die from drowning'. The scorpion agrees that it would make no sense to sting the fox and cause them both to drown. So they set off across the river.

But the scorpion does indeed sting the fox when they are in midstream. As the fox begins to drown, taking the scorpion with him, he pleadingly asks why the scorpion has killed both of them by stinging him. "Because I am a scorpion and it's my nature."

It is a truism that you will not change the nature of people either and you would be foolish to try, unless you are a trained psychologist or psychiatrist and are assisting in 'rectifying' a disabling condition that the patient is striving to resolve.

We are familiar with many truisms; don't swim against the current or sail out on an incoming tide, always consider the grain when working in wood, don't have a dog if you don't want it to bark, don't have children if you expect your life to be unaffected by it, etc.

As a people manager you are compelled to consider their strengths and weaknesses (SWOT). You will develop their strengths and be active in supporting their weaknesses.

If you want them to change their jobs or responsibilities you need to gain their support by communicating to them as responsible adults, as well as clearly defining the need and benefits of changing. Having done that, stand back and allow them to question your argument in depth before they will finally accept what you have proposed.

Their arguments will highlight where they are insecure about the proposal or will identify a possible weakness in your plan. Both are good and both should be considered as positive feedback and addressed with your full attention.

If you want people to change their nature, re-invent themselves and become something else entirely, then I am afraid you will be bitten, maybe several times and still not achieve what you wanted.

Use the work-force!

Blind Faith is a wonderful thing but it will not help you catch a fish!