Good news, or bad news? Maybe
A lesson for Consultants from a Chinese Farmer
The English philosopher and writer Alan Watts was giving a series of talks at universities across the United States. One of the most impactful stories he told was the parable of the Chinese farmer.
The story of the Chinese farmer
There was once a Chinese farmer. His horse ran away. Hearing the news, his neighbours came to console him.
“We are sorry to hear that your horse ran away. What bad news!”
The farmer said “I don't know if it's good news or bad news”
The horse came back the next day, and seven wild horses followed it. Again the neighbours came: “How lucky! You've got eight horses!”
The farmer said, “I don't know if it's good news or bad news”
His son rode one of the wild horses the next day. The horse reared, he was thrown off, and broke his back.
The farmer's friends sent their condolences: "What terrible news, your son has broken his back!"
The farmer said, “I don't know if it's good news or bad news”
Soon after that a war broke out. All young men were conscripted into the army. The farmer's son with the broken back was rejected. His friends went and were killed at war.
Again the farmer's friends said "What luck that your son was saved"
The farmer said, “I don't know if it's good news or bad news”
Consulting lessons
The point, as I'm sure you've realised, is that we don't know what the knock-on impact of a situation might be.
An athlete getting injured may return better than ever.
A business hit with supply chain issues may find new ways to do things.
When your laptop crashes and you lose work - it may spur you to find a better way to do it next time.
Whether you are looking at your own consulting practice, or thinking about how you can help your clients, there is opportunity in every challenge. Clients thrive on positivity - they value consultants who can see the silver lining in the clouds.
As my therapist likes to remind me: Sometimes you have to break down to break through.
What break-throughs can you find behind the challenges your clients are facing?
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