THE CAT & THE MONK’s - STORY
Once upon a time, there was a monastery in Tibet.
The Monks in the monastery meditated from Dawn to Dusk.
One day it so happened that a Cat trespassed into the monastery and disturbed the monks. The head monk instructed that the Cat be caught and tied to the banyan tree until Dusk. He also advised that every day, to avoid hindrance during meditation, the Cat be tied to the banyan tree. So it became a daily practice, a tradition in the monastery; To catch the Cat & Tie it to the Banyan Tree before the monks starts meditating. The cat remained tied to the banyan tree as the monks meditated
The tradition continued. One day the Head Monk Died. As per tradition the senior most monk was chosen as Head monk and all other traditions including tying the CAT to the banyan tree was continued.
One Day the Cat died. The whole monastery plunged into chaos.
A committee was formed to find a solution an it was unanimously decided that a cat be bought from the nearby market and tied to the banyan tree before starting the meditation each day
This tradition is still followed in the monastery even today. UNCHALLENGED. UNQUESTIONED.
_______________________________________________
NOTE: Look at the practices in our life and even practices in our organizations - some of those so called “customary practices” we follow - we never question it, we do not know why it is done that way and why was it started at the first place . Often we Treat these traditions/practices as commandments assuming “that is the way it is“ , "it cannot be done any other way" etc.
________________________________________________
From China
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)
3Once upon a time, there was a monastery in Tibet.
The Monks in the monastery meditated from Dawn to Dusk.
One day it so happened that a Cat trespassed into the monastery and disturbed the monks. The head monk instructed that the Cat be caught and tied to the banyan tree until Dusk. He also advised that every day, to avoid hindrance during meditation, the Cat be tied to the banyan tree. So it became a daily practice, a tradition in the monastery; To catch the Cat & Tie it to the Banyan Tree before the monks starts meditating. The cat remained tied to the banyan tree as the monks meditated
The tradition continued. One day the Head Monk Died. As per tradition the senior most monk was chosen as Head monk and all other traditions including tying the CAT to the banyan tree was continued.
One Day the Cat died. The whole monastery plunged into chaos.
A committee was formed to find a solution an it was unanimously decided that a cat be bought from the nearby market and tied to the banyan tree before starting the meditation each day
This tradition is still followed in the monastery even today. UNCHALLENGED. UNQUESTIONED.
_______________________________________________
NOTE: Look at the practices in our life and even practices in our organizations - some of those so called “customary practices” we follow - we never question it, we do not know why it is done that way and why was it started at the first place . Often we Treat these traditions/practices as commandments assuming “that is the way it is“ , "it cannot be done any other way" etc.
________________________________________________
From China
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
While it seems there is no direct question in your story, I understand that it is a parable pointing towards the need for reevaluating and questioning traditions, practices, or rules in an organization that might not serve a practical purpose.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to approach such situations within your workspace:
1. 🔵♀️Identify the Issue: Start by recognizing practices that seem to have no apparent purpose or those which might be causing inconveniences without any significant benefits.
2. ❇️Question the Tradition: Don't hesitate to ask why a certain practice exists. It's possible that it was relevant in the past but has lost its value over time, much like the cat tied to the banyan tree in your story.
3. 📊Research: Gather information about the origin of the practice, its initial purpose, and its relevance in the present context. This could involve talking to long-time employees, going through old documents, or even contacting former employees if necessary.
4. 🔄Evaluate Alternatives: If the practice seems outdated or unnecessary, consider alternatives. This could be a more modern approach, a more efficient method, or even eliminating the practice altogether if it's not needed.
5. 🔍Present Your Findings: Once you have all the information and possible alternatives, present them to the decision-makers within the organization. Explain why the practice is no longer needed and propose your alternatives.
6. 🔄Implement Changes: If the decision-makers agree with your findings, work with them to phase out the old practice and introduce the new approach. Remember, change can be difficult for some people, so it's important to be patient and understanding during this process.
Remember, not all traditions are bad. Some might have hidden benefits that aren't immediately apparent. The goal isn't to eliminate all traditions, but rather to ensure that every practice serves a purpose and contributes positively to the organization's operations and culture.🕋🤘
From India, Gurugram
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to approach such situations within your workspace:
1. 🔵♀️Identify the Issue: Start by recognizing practices that seem to have no apparent purpose or those which might be causing inconveniences without any significant benefits.
2. ❇️Question the Tradition: Don't hesitate to ask why a certain practice exists. It's possible that it was relevant in the past but has lost its value over time, much like the cat tied to the banyan tree in your story.
3. 📊Research: Gather information about the origin of the practice, its initial purpose, and its relevance in the present context. This could involve talking to long-time employees, going through old documents, or even contacting former employees if necessary.
4. 🔄Evaluate Alternatives: If the practice seems outdated or unnecessary, consider alternatives. This could be a more modern approach, a more efficient method, or even eliminating the practice altogether if it's not needed.
5. 🔍Present Your Findings: Once you have all the information and possible alternatives, present them to the decision-makers within the organization. Explain why the practice is no longer needed and propose your alternatives.
6. 🔄Implement Changes: If the decision-makers agree with your findings, work with them to phase out the old practice and introduce the new approach. Remember, change can be difficult for some people, so it's important to be patient and understanding during this process.
Remember, not all traditions are bad. Some might have hidden benefits that aren't immediately apparent. The goal isn't to eliminate all traditions, but rather to ensure that every practice serves a purpose and contributes positively to the organization's operations and culture.🕋🤘
From India, Gurugram
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)Looking for something specific? - Join & Be Part Of Our Community and get connected with the right people who can help. Our AI-powered platform provides real-time fact-checking, peer-reviewed insights, and a vast historical knowledge base to support your search.
Innovative HR Practices-.doc