Are You a Rhino or a Cow?

(Note: In June, many of IIa's librarians attended the American Library Association's annual meeting in Florida. Following is Kathy's summary of one session she attended.)

Charlie Tyrian came charging into the audience and woke everyone who was nodding off after the last lunch of the AF Librarian's Workshop. His loud voice and physical presence alone were enough to wake you, but what he was saying provided some definite eye openers.

He spoke like a manic stand-up comedian (think Robin Williams), was lively, dynamic, and interactive. Charlie didn't hesitate to single out audience members for "tributes" - within two minutes he accused one eminently respectable and respected Air Force librarian of "sucking up" to him. His style never changed, which was why he kept everyone's attention for the full two hours.

Although his presentation was very funny, his very memorable points came through loud and clear - just like his voice throughout his appearance. He skewered his childhood, his father, his military career, his wife, his parenting skills, his retirement, and the military to find examples that everyone could relate to and remember about the points he was illustrating-all related to his "Rhinoceros Paradigm."

Tyrian contends that there are two types of people in the world - Rhinos and Cows. Rhinos take charge; cows let others take charge.

To be a rhinoceros - you must have the three A's - aptitude, attitude, action.

A rhinoceros takes charge of his/her dreams and ideas - Your thoughts become the blueprints of your life, dictating what you do and what you expect from life.

A rhinoceros ...

• writes down personal and professional goals, self motivates to meet them, plans how to meet them, and takes action to meet them. Plan Your Attack - Attack Your Plan
• takes care of self first - physically, mentally, spiritually. Act the way you want to feel….And soon you will feel the way you act!
• realizes that failure brings success - Another word for failure is fertilizer
• realizes that self-discipline is the key to success
• is willing to be part of and train as a part of a team - together each accomplishes more

Charlie Tyrian's comparison of the rhino and cow people in the world clearly shows the differences between those who charge forward and those who don't:

Rhinos make a mistake and say "I was wrong"

Cows make the same mistake and say "It wasn't my fault."

Rhinos work harder and seem to have more time for fun things.

Cows are always too busy and never have enough time to do anything.

Rhinos charge at their challenges with optimism.

Cows retreat from problems and never get past their pessimism.

Rhinos make commitments.

Cows make promises.

Rhinos listen with both ears.

Cows just can't wait to flap their gums.

Rhinos are good at what they do and are always trying to become better.

Cows are not as bad as a lot of others out there.

Rhinos respect their leaders and try to learn something from them.

Cows resent their bosses and try to find wrinkles in the "utters."

Rhinos say there ought to be a better way to do this.

Cows say this is the way it has always been done.

Rhinos are leaders looking to be of service.

Cows are followers looking to be served.

Rhinos are constantly in training mode and improving their chances of winning.

Cows are canceling their training and will never win against a Rhino.

Clearly, we at IIa are Rhinos to the extreme!