The Elephant Who Was Always Right

An original UYS Insider’s Edge story

In the middle of the Savanna lived Eli the Elephant. Eli was experienced, respected, intelligent and, according to Eli, almost always right. He believed strongly in listening to other people’s opinions. In fact, he would listen very carefully…and then explain why they were wrong. One Monday morning, Eli called a meeting. “From tomorrow, everyone must report to the watering hole at exactly 7:30. This will improve discipline.” Baboon raised his hand. “What about those who live beyond the hill?” “Leave earlier,” Eli replied. “And those looking after their young?” “Organise yourselves.” Baboon tried once more. “And during the dry season when—” Eli lifted his trunk. “Baboon, this is an attendance matter. We are not solving the problems of the entire Savanna today.” Silence. Baboon sat down. Eli looked around the room, pleased. “Excellent meeting.”

The next morning, something remarkable happened. Nobody questioned Eli. Nobody challenged him. Nobody disagreed. Eli was delighted. “Finally,” he thought, “leadership is working.” Three weeks later, however, attendance was worse. Buffalo had stopped contributing in meetings. Baboon had developed a suspicious interest in staring at the ceiling whenever Eli spoke. And Secretary Bird had started sending emails so long that even the subject lines needed a lunch break. Eli was baffled. “But I gave them a solution!”

Old Tortoise looked at him quietly. “Perhaps they understood your solution.” Eli nodded proudly. “Exactly!” Tortoise continued, “You just never understood their problem.” Eli was offended. Naturally. He was an elephant with an excellent memory and several years of leadership experience. Understanding things was practically part of his personal brand. But Tortoise gave him a challenge: “Tomorrow, don’t solve anything. Just ask.”

The following morning, Eli called another meeting. Baboon arrived. Buffalo arrived. Secretary Bird arrived—thankfully without an attachment. Eli took a deep breath. “Tell me what is making this arrangement difficult.” Nobody spoke. Eli nearly answered his own question, but Tortoise gave him the look. So Eli waited. Eventually, Baboon said, “We don’t disagree with starting at 7:30. Some of us simply travel much farther.” Buffalo added, “And some have responsibilities before leaving home.” Then Secretary Bird leaned forward. Eli braced himself. “We weren’t resisting the change,” she said. “We just wanted to be understood before being told what to do.”

For perhaps the first time in recorded Savanna history, Eli had nothing to say. Tortoise smiled. “Congratulations.” Eli frowned. “For what?” Tortoise replied, “You have finally attended a meeting.”

Eli laughed. The next morning, he tried something unusual. Before offering a solution, he asked, “What am I missing?” And then he did something even more unusual: he waited for the answer. The Savanna did not suddenly become perfect. Baboon still had opinions. Buffalo still took his time. And Secretary Bird still sent long emails. But Eli had discovered something more powerful than always having the answer: understanding the people in front of him.

The Insider’s Edge

“Influence does not begin when people understand you. It begins when you take the time to understand them.”

Eli wasn’t a bad leader. He had experience, authority, good intentions and even a reasonable solution. His blind spot was simpler: he understood the situation only from his side of the watering hole. Sometimes what looks like resistance is information we have not yet understood. What looks like attitude may be a perspective we have not explored. And what looks like a communication problem may actually be a listening problem.

Take Action: Start With One Tool

At your next meeting or difficult conversation, resist the urge to explain, defend or immediately solve. Ask just one question:

“What am I missing?”

Then listen.

No fixing. No defending. No preparing your response while the other person is still talking.

Just listen.

See what changes.

And if, while reading this story, you immediately thought of someone who desperately needs to read it…

well…

Eli did that too. 🐘😂

Perhaps start with the mirror.

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The Insider’s Edge | UYSWorld.org