Birds of Prey

During a particularly challenging time in my career, I was leaving for work and saw a hawk snatch something from my front lawn, perch on a nearby tree, and dig in. At first, I was horrified at the perceived cruelty, but then my inner bird of prey piped up saying "are you the hawk, or the prey?" Touche, self. 

It's a jungle out there and to make it in the business world you have to have a keen sense of threat and opportunity.  Some people navigate these situations fluidly, while other, like myself, find themselves doggy paddling in choppy waters.  It isn't enough to stay alive, but, in my book, you have to do it without tarnishing your character or reputation.  You have to be a bird of prey.

My upbringing prepped me for the great wide world with the golden rule as my only guide. What it failed to supply me with was the knowledge that not everyone plays by it. I was sent out into the working world like a pigeon: plays nice with others, always makes room on the wire, keeps its head down and doesn't make a fuss. A pigeon . . . in a world of rats, snakes, and hawks.

In my quest for "hawkdom", I've learned that you must first recognize your prey. Peck on the pigeons of the office and you'll quickly become the loathed workplace bully. Go after the rats and snakes and you'll be doing everyone a favor. Rats are the wolves in sheep's clothing. Operating under the guise of mammalian cuteness, they spend their days taking what isn't theirs and multiplying. Snakes, on the other hand, operate alone; strictly for selfish gain they strike with venom when it will hurt the most. To catch your prey, here are a few tips from our feathered friends:

1) Be above board. Most birds of prey hunt during the day, even though rats and snakes are more active at night. Keep your actions transparent - only sinister deeds benefit from the darkness.

2) Don't dally in the mud. Even though sneaky prey can slip underground at the moment of capture, the hawk doesn't waste its time digging its talons in the dirt. Don't soil your image in desperation.

3) Have patience. Hours on a tree stump may not sound like much fun, but it pays off. Ranting in frustration does not get you any closer to your goal (although it can be a heck of a relief at times).

4) Focus. It's no wonder we revere the hawk eye; its focus and clarity are lethally precise. If its worth the capture, it's worth watching for.
5) Strike only when the opportunity presents itself. Don't waste your time and energy on the trail. When you catch a rat or a snake up to no good, do something - hesitate and you'll have missed your opportunity.