Rachel was a rising star in the Ministry of Industry and Trade. She had just returned from leading the prestigious mission as the Trade Commissioner in North America. Because of her stellar career, she was promoted to be the Deputy Director of the Foreign Trade Administration.
Rachel was hard-working and persuasive. She inspired her team to go the extra mile and dangled the promise of coveted overseas postings for those who excelled and proved their worth. Naturally, everyone was motivated at first.
But when the time came for her to lobby for her team members in the committee that would decide their postings, she didnโt support her teammates.
After the committee meeting, her boss Zohar, the Director of the Foreign Trade Administration, asked her to his office and said: โI was in the committee with you, advocating for your team. Not only did you fail to support our nominations, but you also derailed them with your negative comments. Can you explain why?โ
Rachel shifted uncomfortably in her chair and replied, โI didnโt mean to hurt them. I shouldnโt have said what I did.โ
Zohar looked at her and said, โThis isnโt the first time youโve spoken negatively behind othersโ backs. Youโll lose the trustย of your team and mine if this habit continues.โ
As she was about to leave, Zohar added, โWait, Rachel. Have you heard the fable about the frog and the scorpion?โ
โNo,โ Rachel answered.
“Sit down then, let me tell you an old fable:
๐ธ ๐ฆ ๐ป๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐๐๐.
A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the
scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The
frog asks, “How do I know you won’t sting me?” The scorpion
says, “Because if I do, I will die too.”
The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream,
the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of
paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown,
but has just enough time to gasp “Why?”
Replies the scorpion: “It’s my nature…”
A few years later, Zohar was invited by the minister to consult on who should be chosen as his successor. Zohar recommended Doron.
Surprised, the minister asked, โWhy not promote Rachel, your deputy?โ
Zohar replied, โDo you remember the fable about the scorpion and the frog? Rachel is a scorpion. Sheโs talented, but she just canโt help but sting those around her. We need someone equally capable, but who is trusted by everyone.”
๐ธ ๐ฆ Have you ever encountered a scorpion in your journey? Or perhaps, have you ever found yourself being the scorpion? Share your experiences and lessons learned!
