Partho and TAO: Rabbit, Bear and the Bull
“Partho, I just came from a meeting with the Marketing & Sales team,” began Ashwin Gaud, AVP – Customer Relations. “They plan to acquire Sharp Roots Vision—a subsidiary of Hudson Media—as a client. Jeshan, the Senior VP – Growth, appreciated our work on the Hudson account. He’s asked us to present a report showcasing our journey with Hudson and a proposal to grow Sharp Roots through us.”
Partho, VP – Operations & Customer Experience at Cadillac Tech Pvt. Ltd., nodded.
“That’s great news, Ashwin. Thanks for the update—we’ll discuss this in our review tomorrow.”
“Actually,” Ashwin continued, “could you come up with a strategy to acquire Sharp Roots as a key account? Also help me with the Hudson reports and a comparative analysis? Can you share a draft by 4 PM today?”
Partho paused.
“Whoa, tiger. Jeshan has made you the PoC for this. I want you to take charge, work on it directly with him, and loop me in as needed.”
“Arre yaar…” Ashwin muttered, clearly miffed.
Two Days Later — Inside the CEO’s Cabin
“Partho, were you aware of the Sharp Roots acquisition plan?” asked Akhil, the CEO.
“Yes, Ashwin briefed me. He and Jeshan were working on it,” replied Partho.
“Well then, why weren’t the reports and strategy ready for today’s executive meeting? Marketing & Sales have been burning the midnight oil. You and your team seem to be partying instead of partnering,” snapped Akhil. “Hudson and Sharp Roots were expecting clarity—now the meeting’s pushed to tomorrow. This is unacceptable!”
“I—I had asked Ashwin to…”
“Stop this blame game. Own up, Partho. You’re one of the most senior leaders here. Act like it. I want the strategy and reports ready by 6 PM. Get this moving!”
Back in Partho’s Cabin
“What the hell just happened, Ashwin?” asked Partho, seething. “Weren’t you working on the reports?”
“That’s your problem, Partho. You don’t lead—you manage,” Ashwin snapped.
“You say, ‘do this, do that,’ but don’t own the role. I want to work with a leader, not a manager. I had asked you for inputs. You should’ve been clearer.”
Partho stood in silence, wounded.
Ashwin smirked, “I’ll sort it. My team will help. Just don’t force the CEO to make me your boss, alright?”
Later, Alone in the Washroom
Partho stared at his reflection.
“Where am I going wrong? Why can’t I be direct, upfront, commanding?”
A calm, familiar voice answered from within.
“Because, my dear Partho, you consider yourself a facilitator, not an enabler.”
It was TAO—his invisible mentor, his voice of inner wisdom. “Please show yourself, TAO,” Partho whispered.
TAO appeared beside him with a gentle smile.
Facilitator vs Enabler
“Partho,” said TAO, “A facilitator connects the dots and helps others make things happen. An enabler drives change—gets things done through people by unleashing their potential.”
“What do you see when you hear ‘facilitator’ and ‘enabler’?” asked TAO.
Partho thought for a moment.
“A rabbit for facilitator. A bull for enabler.”
“And how do you see yourself?” asked TAO.
Partho replied honestly, “I see myself as soft-spoken, a people’s person. I help others grow but avoid conflict because I lose control.
I aspire to be confident, to drive business and empower people. Deep down, I know I can negotiate, resolve, lead.
When I speak, I see a rabbit, a bear, and a bull.”
TAO Reflected
“Well said, Partho. You perceive yourself as a rabbit—soft, non-confrontational. You project yourself like a bear—cuddly but reactive under threat. But your real self is a bull—sharp, focused, empowering.”
“You are stuck between the rabbit and bear. But the bull—that’s who you truly are.”
TAO’s Prescription for Inner Alignment
- Observe yourself — replay today’s CEO moment. Reflect on your reactions.
- Visualize the Bull — how would your real self have handled Ashwin’s ask differently?
- Create a Personal Strategy — for yourself, your people, and your client, as the Bull. Stay in charge.
“Partho,” said TAO, “When you align your perceived, projected, aspiring, and real selves, clarity returns. And that clarity makes you unstoppable.”
With those final words, TAO vanished.
Partho was ready. No longer caught between doubt and defensiveness. He would now rise—not as the facilitator hiding behind gentle ease—but as the enabler, charging ahead like a bull, with calm confidence and fierce intent.
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As a Growth Catalyst and Founder at SAMAKSH Holistic Wellness, I help Business Leaders and Working Professionals build their Inner World—by addressing emotional misalignments, limiting beliefs, and invisible inner blocks—just like Partho did.
If you’re ready to reclaim your power, shift from rabbit-mode to bull-mode, and move forward with clarity and confidence, DM me.
Note: Partho and TAO shall return.
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