There is a tradition in the Zulu culture where a bull is led into the kraal (corral) and 20 or so young warriors must kill it with their bare hands. The event is meant to celebrate the new harvest, but followers of functionalism in anthropology would suggest it’s a way to identify future leaders.
So let’s say you’re put into the krall with the whole village watching: family, boyfriends, girlfriends, teachers etc., and the bull is let loose. Are you going for the tail, a leg, head or horns? The answer lies within; the result of your fortitude, life goals, skill, agility and pain threshold. Are you fearless? My guess is there are not a lot of young Zulu warriors jumping on the head. But then I’m from Long Island.
I’ve posted often about the overabundance of rearview mirror account planners (those who look to the past) and sideview mirror planners (those who watch for fast approaching competitors) in order to plan for the future. The best planners look ahead seeing past the dashboard. In the culture of brand planning the good ones focus on the head. The same attributes required of the greatest Zulu warriors are required of the best account planners. Go for the head! Peace!
