Hey, I’m sure many of you have heard of a management concept—the catfish effect. This famous effect originated in a small fishing village in the Nordic region.
In a small fishing village in the Nordic region, people made a living by fishing for herring. At that time, fishermen found it challenging to bring herring ashore alive. However, there was a captain who consistently returned with fresh, lively herring, making his catch highly valuable. No one knew how he managed to do it, and it became a mystery in the village, with fishermen speculating about his magical methods.
It wasn’t until one day when this mysterious captain passed away that his fish hold was opened, revealing a catfish swimming leisurely.
Yes, a catfish! When this catfish was introduced into the herring group, the herring would go all out to avoid this unwelcome guest. Surprisingly, this evasive game made the herring more resilient, allowing them to survive until they reached the shore.
Later, someone summarized this story into an important lesson that applies not only to fishing but also to everyday work and life. Sometimes, a team needs to introduce some variables, such as a new employee, an innovative project, or an unusual way of thinking, to stimulate the potential of the entire team. Just like that catfish, it liberates the herring from inertia and makes them more dynamic.
In short, the catfish effect reminds people to stay flexible, always be ready to embrace change, and thus be better prepared to face challenges.
