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June 03, 2005
MYTH: "Crazy like a Fox"
Reality: “Crazy like a Raccoon!”
Anyone who has grown up exposed to raccoons and their behaviours will have a treasure trove of bizarre stories to tell. In fact, in communities with significant “coon” exposure, raccoons often become the center of interesting urban legend and local mythology.
Having grown up with raccoons myself (and also having a baby raccoon as a temporary pet when I was a child), I too have some stories to tell. But the flashback event that reminded me about the raccoons of my childhood occurred about two weeks ago —
It was after dark and I needed to go get some files out of the garage. On the way to the garage, I noticed a large raccoon “hanging out” (as raccoons do) halfway up the driveway. I knew opening the garage door would make lots of noise, which always scares away wildlife (as well as our own dogs and cats). Just as I was lifting the noisy garage door, I suddenly jumped back as I watched a large furry animal darted under the garage door before I had raised it more than a foot or two. I was so startled that I dropped the door and it slammed shut with the animal inside. It was only then that I realized what had happened.
The raccoon, instead of becoming terrified at the threatening sound of a garage door opening and fleeing as any other self-respecting animal would do, instead —
“saw a window of opportunity and took it — without hesitation.”
Yes, we are talking about raccoons here. So those of you who know raccoons are hardly surprised at this story — as it is consistent with all the mythology which separates this amazing species from the rest of the pack. Their intelligence and prehensile dexterity are legendary. But it is their personality that sets them apart from others —
They are patient, meticulous, compulsive, methodical, fearless, loyal, loving, paternal, maternal, reliable, calculating, adaptable, focused, determined, and opportunistic.
Unlike other species which are endangered by encroaching civilisation, they actually thrive in complex and dangerous urban environments, as well as in the wild.
When cornered by humans or dogs, rather than getting stuck in an “adrenaline surge” of a flight response, they actually “calm down” — their heart rate slows, they grow physically still, and, those notorious “beady eyes” become prominent as they kick into their focused, hyper-alert, and calculating mode.
Raccoons are also known for being fierce fighters, but in reality they are the ultimate “guerrilla fighters” — they only pick a fight they know they will win a priori — which is one of many the reasons they are so successful as a species. Surprise attack is one of their most useful tactics when they are outnumbered by ferocious barking dogs. Their calm demeanour during an attack takes the dogs off guard since most animals appear terrified — while
RACCOONS NEVER EVER SHOW FEAR.
Unlike most animals (and humans) who are held-hostage to their internal “fight or flight” biology —
raccoons think clearly under attack, calculate their options carefully, time their actions perfectly, and when they finally commit to their course of actions, they do so quickly, decisively, precisely, and with tenacious determination.
It is their personality, not their raw resources or physical strength, which makes a single raccoon surrounded by a pack of ferocious barking dogs, the odds favourite to win.
So forget about the fox. If you are an entrepreneur, need to slip under a garage door, or if you are anyone with a mission, think and act like a raccoon, and you’ll always be the odds favourite to win.
“Crazy like a Fox?” Forget it! You want to be “Crazy like a Raccoon”.
Posted by cmayaud at 12:47 PM | Permalink| Comments (3)
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| Posted to Business Strategy | Entrepreneurship | MYTH of the Week | Venture Capital Process
Comments
Christian,
This is another INVALUABLE piece!
WHEN are you going to write the BOOK????
I think you are ready!
-Vincent Wright
3 June 2005
Posted by: Vincent Wright at June 3, 2005 11:18 PM
Usually when you speak to someone the first time or the second or the third the first thing that comes out of their mouth is what they are conscious of; in a sense if you are a people person like I am, your sense of intuition is very accute and you open the other person up by unconsciously getting them to talk first, This was and was again the case with this incredible man who sees things where others see nothing, and he is able to articulate what he sees is such a way as to bring humour into the equation; this is a recipe for success as a writer, even if the writer is addressing a serious subject. People will learn things if they're having fun and Christian has this rare gift, amonst many others. I have told Christian personally that he should write, and now Vincent Wright has told him the same thing. I just hope that this little comment plants the fire under Christians butt to write for goodness sake; the world awaits your wisdom and your humour.
Posted by: Michael Pokocky at June 4, 2005 02:16 PM
Stop it guys.
I've got a "day job" which occupies me 150% of my time.
I am impressed enough with myself that I have managed to find the time to even consider blogging, let alone actually doing it.
Let me get used to this whole "blog thing" first -- then we can start talking about e-books, podcasting, and, "heaven-forbid," legacy print books.
Posted by: Christian Mayaud at June 4, 2005 03:43 PM
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