In the annals of Chinese history, the wisdom of our ancestors often transcends time, offering valuable lessons for contemporary life. One such pearl of ancient wisdom comes from the Warring States period, where the practices of “Feeding Horses Separately” and “Raising Pigs Together” were not just about animal husbandry, but also about the art of leadership and management.
Two horses
During the Warring States period, two breeds of horses were renowned in the northern regions of China: the robust Mongolian horse, capable of carrying heavy loads, and the swift Dawan horse, known for its speed and endurance. A merchant in Handan owned one of each. He used the Mongolian horse to transport goods and the Dawan horse to deliver messages.
Despite their strengths, when these horses shared a manager, they often fought over food, resulting in injuries and requiring costly veterinary care. This situation troubled the merchant greatly until the arrival of Bole, a master horse tamer known for his ability to discern the potential of horses.
Upon visiting the merchant’s stables, Bole offered a simple yet profound solution: “Separate the managers.” The merchant followed this advice, and the horses no longer fought, each thriving in their own space.
The merchant’s pigs
Encouraged by his success with the horses, the merchant later applied the same principle to his pigs, separating their feeding troughs. However, this led to unexpected results: the pigs became picky eaters and failed to gain weight. Baffled, the merchant once again sought Bole’s counsel.
Bole chuckled at the merchant’s predicament and advised, “Raising pigs is not like raising horses; they should eat from the same trough.” The merchant tried this approach, and to his delight, the pigs competed for food, ate heartily, and quickly fattened up.
Lessons in modern management
From a modern management perspective, the essence of “Feeding Horses Separately” is to avoid assigning two competent individuals to the same task and to place the right person in the correct position. Like the two exceptional horses, competition and jealousy can arise when equally talented individuals work together, leading to inefficiency; assigning them separate responsibilities is often more practical.
Applying ancient strategies in leadership
Both ancient emperors and modern leaders can benefit from this strategy. To fully utilize the abilities of capable individuals, management must not only employ them wisely but also place them in roles that suit their unique talents. This allows each individual to grow and contribute effectively to the organization.
Understanding the nature of the team
The nature of naturally gluttonous pigs suggests that a shared feeding environment stimulates their appetite due to competition, thereby achieving the goal of fattening them up more quickly. Similarly, in management, whether to “separate” or “combine” depends on the individuals involved. Independent and capable individuals, like the Dawan horses, require separate responsibilities, while those still developing, like the young pigs, benefit from a competitive environment to foster growth.
The art of team composition
Leadership is not just about the individual talents but also how they are combined. A poorly composed team can squander even the best resources. Leaders must pair individuals so that their abilities complement rather than hinder each other, requiring a deep understanding of each person’s strengths and how they can best contribute to the team’s success.
The essence of leadership
History is replete with seemingly average individuals achieving greatness, often due to their strategic use of talent. They knew how to motivate their subordinates and understood that the essence of management is accomplishing tasks through others. A leader’s effectiveness is not measured by their actions but by how well they utilize their team to achieve goals.
In conclusion, the ancient practices of “Feeding Horses Separately” and “Raising Pigs Together” offer more than just agricultural advice; they provide timeless insights into effective management and leadership. By understanding and applying these principles, today’s leaders can create harmonious, productive teams well-suited to their tasks and collective goals.
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