The Lion, the Leopard and the Wolves

Once, there was a lion who gave the job of watching over 10 wolves to a leopard.

 

Leopard started his day distributing the meat rations into 11 portion. The wolves were unhappy at the size of the portion and attacked him. A single leopard could not fight against 10 wolves and he had no choice but to surrender his portion of meat and tendered his resignation to Lion.

 

Lion stopped Leopard, and told him to observe his management techniques.

 

The next day, Lion divided the meat into 11 portions of different sizes. He took the largest one, and threw the rest to the wolves, telling them, "Divide them according to who deserves it more."

 

The wolves started fighting among themselves for the meat, no longer thinking of how that piece of meat was smaller than what they got in total in the past. Leopard was amazed and asked, "What kind of management technique is that?"

 

Lion smiled and replied, "This is called payment by performance."

 

The second day, Lion divided the meat into 11 portions of different sizes again. He took the two largest one, and threw the rest to the wolves, telling them, "Divide them according to who deserves it more."

 

The wolves started fighting among themselves for the meat, all sense of loyalty and friendly thrown to the wind, as each wanted the biggest piece of meat thrown to them. One of them, who got nothing, has to huddle in hunger, as he was too weak to fight with his brethren. Leopard was amazed and asked, "What kind of management technique is that?"

 

Lion smiled and replied, "This is called forced ranking."

 

The third day, Lion divided the meat into 2 portions. He took one, and threw the other to the wolves, telling them, "Divide it according to who deserves it more."

 

The strongest and toughest wolf took over the meat, without any question from the other wolves. He ate his fill, and then distributed the meat to the wolves as he pleased. From that day on, Lion only needed to deal with one wolf, who would deal with the rest on his behalf. Leopard was amazed and asked, "What kind of management technique is that?"

 

Lion smiled and replied, "Management technique? No, this is what a meritocratic society looks like."

 

On the final day, Lion took the entire portion of meat, and ordered the leading wolf to get his brethren to eat grass. Tired out by all their fighting, and having learnt the past few days to submit to the rule of Lion, the wolves meekly go about eating grass, led by the leading wolf. By now, a totally fawning and worshipping Leopard stopped asking but looked to Lion to teach him more.

 

Lion smiled and replied, "This, Leopard, is what a harmonious society looks like."