There’s this old fable I heard as a kid—A fox sees a crow with a chunk of food in its beak. The fox flatters the crow, praising its voice, asking for a song. The crow, pleased, opens its beak to sing, dropping its meal. The fox grabs it and runs away.
As a child, I thought it was just about not falling for flattery.
But now, as someone who’s navigated both friendships and business deals, I see it differently.
In business and life, you’ll meet a lot of foxes—charismatic, strategic, and self-serving. They’ll talk sweet, act supportive, but their motive isn’t always aligned with yours.
And sometimes, we’re the crow—craving validation so much that we drop real value just to feel seen.
I once partnered with someone on what I thought was a “dream opportunity.” He hyped me up, told me how much he needed my expertise. Long story short: I built the system, he ran off with the list and the revenue. Lesson learned.
Not everyone who praises you is your friend.
Now, I approach business with more discernment. I still believe in collaboration—but with due diligence, written agreements, and watching actions more than words.
The animal kingdom may be simpler, but the dynamics? Surprisingly real.
Anyone else learned a tough business/life lesson through an old story or fable?