Walk the Elephant: Laughter Works

Walk the Elephant
If you're trying to make the job fun for your people, watch out for simply foisting your own concept of fun on them. One supervisor created dissention by scattering candy dishes around a business where most of the employees were trying to diet. She had Muzak pumped in, and everyone hated the music she selected. Then she decided to fill the office with motivational banners, and insisted that everyone contribute a saying. This, at least, was fun for one person.

The last time I was there, his inspirational message still hung proudly by the main entrance: "Walk the elephant and pitch to the giraffe."

You may not find that inspirational. You may even find it confusing, if you don't recognize it as the answer to the ancient philosophical question: "What do you do with an elephant with three balls?"

You walk the elephant and pitch to the giraffe. Let that be an inspiration to us all.

Copyright 2007, Barry Maher. Used by permission.

Barry Maher writes, speaks and trains on leadership, communications, motivation, management and sales. His book, Filling the Glass, was honored by Today's Librarian magazine as "[One of The Seven Essential Popular Business Books." Contact him and/or sign up for his newsletter at http://www.barrymaher.com.