Why is the cat there- Driving Change

Having lived and worked in 8 different countries I consider myself fortunate that I learnt to spot the cat and ask why is the cat there?

My favorite writer (Paulo Coelho) shared a story in one of his books which reminds me of my journey across the world. Let me share it with you.

A great Zen Buddhist master had a cat which he loved very much. So, during meditation classes, he kept the cat by his side – in order to make the most of his company. One morning, the master passed away. His best disciple took his place.What shall we do with the cat? – asked the other monks. As a tribute to the memory of their old instructor, the new master decided to allow the cat to continue attending the Buddhist classes.

As people from other regions came to the monastery they started to spread the story that a cat took part in the meditation sessions. The story began to spread. Many years passed. The cat died, but as the students at the monastery were so used to its presence, they soon found another cat. Meanwhile, the other temples began introducing cats in their meditation sessions: they believed the cat was truly responsible for the fame and excellence of the Master’s teaching.

A generation passed, and professors started to write about the importance of the cat in meditation. And so, for a whole century, the cat was considered an essential part of Zen Buddhist studies in that region.

Until a master appeared who was allergic to animal hair, and decided to remove the cat. There was a fierce negative reaction – but the master insisted. Since he was an excellent instructor, the students continued to make the same progress, in spite of the absence of the cat.

Little by little, the monasteries – always in search of new ideas, and already tired of having to feed so many cats – began eliminating the animals from the classes. In twenty years new revolutionary theories began to appear – with very convincing titles such as “The Importance of Meditating Without a Cat”, or “Balancing the Zen Universe by Will Power Alone, Without the Help of Animals”.

Another century passed, and the cat withdrew completely from the meditation rituals in that region. But two hundred years were necessary for everything to return to normal – because during all this time, no one asked why the cat was there.

How many times you would want to drive change and question why are things done in a particular way and you get an unconvincing answer or merely arguments to protect the status quo. Change agents in corporations have to be like water; find their way flowing under the door even when all doors are shut. When you have the passion, courage and perseverance to do the right thing for your customers, your company, your people, you learn to challenge the rules, question the foundation and your ideas would be considered crazy by those who think the cat should be there because the cat has always been there.