The Piranha Theory

The story is told that a man wanted to cross a river where a piranha lived. (A piranha is a ferocious killer fish with sharp teeth and thirsts for blood.)

The man threw raw meat to the river for the piranha to feast on. After the fish had its fill, the man crossed the river safe and unharmed. 

Taking this tale to the workplace, Claro (not his real name), an advertising man I worked with, devised his “Piranha Theory” in dealing with ferocious clients. We had a few of them who had the subconscious habit of abasing the ability of people instead of the quality of their work.

During presentation day for an ad, Claro would advise us to bring “raw meat,” an idea other than our recommendation. 

“Let client tear it apart!” he’d say. “After he has had his fill of negatives, present the great idea—the one you want produced.” Nine out of ten, we would get our recommendation approved.

Sometimes we, too, act like piranhas, making mincemeat out of others—not necessarily to their face, but on social media. Often we do it on the sly like throwing “raw meat” to keep us safe.

The Bible warns us against such cruelty and deception, "But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.” (Galatians 5:15 NLT)

May we heed such warning and be an instrument in making our workplaces a river of goodwill and grace. 

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