Bring on the Year of the Tiger!
November 09, 2009 2PM
Whether you are a fan of Chinese Astrology, or you think it is a load of new age codswallop, it is hard to ignore the parallels in today’s business world.2007 was the year of the Pig - a chance to get fat, build comfort and security whilst enjoying some indulgences in earthly delights. During this time, we enjoyed the good times of the boom we didn’t realise that we were having, with a sense of contentment, but perhaps naivety about how long this sense of security would continue (think of a pig getting ready to go to the butchers).
2008 was the year of the Rat - things that come to mind include lies, deception, greed, excessive risk taking and showiness. The term “You Dirty Rat” could be used to describe how the business world was affected during 2008 when the GFC threatened financial Armageddon.
2009 is the year of the Ox – if you think of a farming environment, the Ox is used for the preparation of the ground – so the seeds can be sown for future benefit. This is a time when we have needed to go back to basics and get the groundwork done so we can be in a position to move forward and rebuild strength from a solid base. It has had a feeling of slow, laborious and methodical work - somewhat “shackled” by the economic conditions, with a heads down and tails up approach.
2010 is the year of the Tiger – representing speed, strength, purposefulness, determination and self reliance. Tiger Woods comes to mind – who is extremely focused, has a strong sense of his personal power and rarely allows obstacles or difficulties to keep him down – he expects (and creates) his future. The lyrics of the song used in Rocky III, “Eye of the Tiger” signify rising up to the challenges with human spirit to keep our dreams alive. It also represents using adversity to become stronger with an iron clad will, gained through “guts and glory” and a strong sense of personal belief. It is a choice to not stop until victory is in sight – having travelled the distance and come too far to turn back. A tiger in the wild does not rush around trying to create its next meal, but simply sits quietly, knowing that it will be ready to take fast and powerful action when the opportunity arises.
In the business context, we need to start thinking like a Tiger now to be ready to embrace the stronger economic opportunities of 2010.
This means:-
1. Holding a strong and clear vision for what we want to create and keeping the dream alive with passion and energy
2. Being willing to take confident, bold action with the opportunities arise
3. Applying the lessons from adversity to become stronger with greater levels of personal confidence
4. Speeding up the process – expecting things to start happening quickly and planning accordingly with high energy levels
Bring on the Tiger
Author: Naomi Smith
Business: Shine Human Capital Development
Contact: naomi@shinehumancapital.com.au or phone 0423 936090
Website: www.shinehumancapital.com.au
Shine Human Capital is a specialist Workplace Employee Development Training Organisation dedicated to delivering results focused programs which are designed to "tune up" organisations' key assets -their staff. SHINE training programs address the underlying factors contributing to issues such as staff burnout, high turnover, poor motivation, low employee morale, disengagement, extended stress leave, ineffective interpersonal relationships, lack of leadership and poor productivity to assist organisations to build robust and successful workplace cultures.