Swimming With The Sharks
In the business world, this phrase means to work with and compete with ruthless people who pursue winning at all costs. Even though the most ruthless may have their limits as to what they will or won’t do, there are still many sharks dominating the ocean of commerce who do not recognize limits. And they bite.
But before you jump into that swirling ocean of madness, consider why you want to do that, and what your expectations are. Also, instead of becoming a deadly shark yourself, try this new approach: think about what you might learn from observing the sharks, and then put those lessons to good use in a more palpable way.
In the August 2024 issue of Forbes.com, a good analysis is made of the power structure between the shark animal kingdom and the human enterprise kingdom. “Swimming with (animal) sharks inherently involves significant risk. The potential danger forces a heightened awareness and a need for meticulous risk management. In such high-risk situations, concentration is paramount. Every move is calculated, and every possible outcome considered. This level of focus translates directly to managing risks in business.” Swimming with the sharks in real life or as a metaphor is not a game, but requires icy calmness, quick thinking, and knowing your goals before you jump into the shark tank.
Memory slipping?
While most people struggle to stay calm in a tank full of business sharks, a team of Harvard scientists discovered something unexpected…
They found that a simple 3-minute sound pattern can activate a dormant brain protein — the kind linked to faster thinking, sharper memory, and laser-focused decision-making.
And it didn’t just work on young people.
Adults in their 70s and 80s suddenly started recalling details, analyzing faster, and responding with the kind of icy clarity that keeps you from becoming someone else’s lunch.
No expensive treatments.
No strict routines.
Just a few minutes of audio a day.
Some researchers say it’s like flipping a switch on brain aging — turning on the cognitive edge that separates leaders from the prey.
Before you step back into the shark tank…
Wouldn’t you want to know if this works for you?
Staying Calm Under Fear
When facing a shark in the ocean or a wild animal in the forest, the more fear you have, the more the animal will sense and react to that fear. That’s when they want to eat you alive. The shark is intuitive, sleek, exceptionally sensitive, and can smell fear from a long distance away. It’s the ‘smell of blood’ sensation that lets them know they have an enemy who has become as nothing and will be easily conquerable.
There will be no compassion.
Same scenario, but instead of a shark in the ocean, it’s your competition, your boss, your co-workers, your subordinates. Your fear will be written all over your body language. Your fear gives off an odor. Your body language shrinks you. Your aura has turned dark. From the Forbes.com article, “Acknowledging risks is crucial for leaders. Showing vulnerability and transparency about challenges helps manage fears and anxieties. However, leaders must balance this vulnerability with a composed demeanor, sometimes faking confidence until genuine confidence is built through experience.” There is an old saying, “Fake it till you make it,” that is as true today as it has been for decades. Control fear and negative self-doubt; otherwise, they will be revealed to others when you don’t want them to be.
What is your attitude when you are with the sharks?
Change your attitude by practicing self-help affirmations.
As an interesting exercise, set yourself up for an imaginary meeting with a shark that you know.
Close your eyes, quiet the room, and be sure you cannot be disturbed.
Imagine a meeting with a shark or two about a business situation. You might be nervous, or even fearful. They have called this meeting with you. Are you going to be fired? Moved to another section? Given a raise? Or a reduction? Why are they calling you into a meeting? Oh, you forgot about the proposal you presented a few months ago. Maybe they like it after all? Maybe you will get a raise? Or maybe they will tell you it is a terrible idea.
As you begin to answer these questions in your imaginary meeting with the sharks, you can see that this meeting did not go well. Why? Because you were not prepared to swim with the sharks.
How to prepare to swim with the sharks, by answering these questions:
What do you hope to gain by swimming with the sharks?
Do you want to learn how to be a shark?
Do you want to work with them?
Are you afraid to be ruthless?
Can you swim with them but be smart, instead of ruthless?
Is being ruthless always the answer?
How to swim with the sharks and not be bitten
Be ready
Study what makes a person a shark
Decide how far you want to go
Study the psychology of personalities
Learn to turn your fears into assets
Learn how to stay calm under all circumstances
Practice awareness before you take a swim
A very simple tool to use in the shark tank is to be aware. Practice awareness by listening, looking, observing, and reflecting.
Ask yourself: How do I become a shark with positive attitudes, ideas, and awareness, without getting bitten myself or biting others?
Great leaders and successful people are more astute than those around them, and most are not ruthless, but confident. Not harmful, but helpful. And not stupidly course, but inherently calm and self-assured. They don’t need to bite like a shark to win. Instead, the think like a pro and use wisdom, instead of teeth.
💛 In prosperity and kindness,
Charmayne
