Of Bunny Rabbits & Guinea Pigs

When Being Too 'Nice' Ends Up Getting You Hurt

Listening to Your Inner Guinea Pig

Classics is a series of re-editions of some of my more popular pieces from other platforms and publications, now behind paywalls. This one, in a context of divisive politics and wild backlashes, feels (sadly) more relevant than ever. It will take leaders with deep self-awareness and lashings of compassion to navigate towards balance.

Roger was a young rising star. He had always been successful, and prided himself on his brains, speed, and ability to deliver impressive results. His company had just appointed him to take over a troubled country operation in Latin America. He did a brilliant job turning things around financially. But he then got completely stymied by a group of angry employees who started a covert revolution in the ranks --- and almost succeeded in getting him fired.

Coaching Roger, I suggested he was a bunny rabbit who had just been attacked by a horde of guinea pigs. When he looked bemused, I suggested that the world is made up of two sorts of people, but only one sort would agree.