Ahab Punjab Harpoons A Whale
In the days of old, whalers boarded oar powered long boats and after sighting a whale, would row hard to chase it down. If they managed to get close enough, the guy standing in the front of the boat with the harpoon at the ready (we’ll call him Ahab Punjab), guides the long boat to precisely the right place on the whale’s back where he can go for the strike.
Ahab Punjab’s job is not unlike that of today’s CEO or top manager, who has to coordinate everyone’s efforts to achieve a demanding objective. Getting the right crew of rowers on the mother ship to begin with, charting a course to whale rich waters at the right time of year, rigging the long boat properly for whale catching, and training the rowers how to perform when you get close to the whale- when it really matters- all of these are Ahab Punjab’s responsibilities.
Ahab Punjab knows when he is back at port, what type of men he needs who can handle it when seas are rough, when the whale charges the boat or slaps his fluke, when lines get tangled, or who he wants to have with him on a long and arduous voyage. Ahab knows that his decision making, strategy, courage and commitment are the essential factors that will not only keep his crew from mutiny, but succeed in the overall objective with rich shares for everyone when the hold is filled with fresh caught whale.
Ahab Punjab’s defining quality however is his singleness of purpose. All that he does is in preparation for maximizing the opportunity of harpooning the whale. Ahab doesn’t wander across this section of ocean or that, he knows the place to go and when to be there. Once whales are sighted he doesn’t chase this one, and then that one. His crew waits patiently for they trust his judgment and experience. Ahab Punjab waits and selects the one big whale he wants, and commits the longboat and it’s well prepared crew to launch for the chase and the kill. All aboard make a 100% commitment and demonstrate strength, endurance and bravery.
More times than not, Ahab returns to port with a full hold and a happy crew.
Excerpted from Bart Allen Berry's upcoming book: Sutras For Business Success
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