Not sure if you are the whale or the barnacle? See below.

First let us start by saying we share a corner office, finish each other’s fragmented sentences and occasionally ghost write each others’ email. Hell, we had to write this blog together. As seemingly dysfunctional as it might be, this is true collaboration – a symbiotic relationship, if you will. We’ll let you decided who is what here….but please don’t call either one of us a whale.

In case what you learned in your high school biology class is not top of mind, let’s take a quick look at the three types of symbiotic relationships:

Mutualism – A relationship between two species in which both benefit from the association. i.e. the clownfish and the anemone, the yen and the yang, Hugh Hefner and one of his bunnies.

Commensalism – A relationship where one species benefits while the other is unaffected. i.e., the barnacle and the whale, the hermit crab and the gastropod shell, Dr. Phil and Oprah.

Parasitism – A relationship that is beneficial to one species and detrimental to the other.
i.e., Fido and his fleas, Timmy and his tapeworm, Paris Hilton and society.

We all go through our professional life dependent to some degree. Our challenge is to strive for mutually beneficial relationships, especially in terms of our clients and our co-workers. In hard times, it is easy to forget how our actions affect those we work with on a daily basis. Clients’ budgets are squeezed, therefore we are charged to do more with less. Sales are down, so we must think even more outside of the box on ways to generate new leads. Layoffs happen, morale plunges and it is hard to muster “Good morning.” Nonetheless, if we do not take time to take care of each other, we are in the company of tapeworms and ticks.

So, the next time you are tempted to vent about a pressing issue or an unpleasant attitude, just remember that sometimes we are sharks bravely swimming through the murky waters and at other times we are the remoras desperately clinging to the sharks, eating their leftovers. Either way, we should strive to do no harm….and given the chance, we should make a positive impact on those around us.

What’s the moral of this tale? While no one wants to be labeled codependent, there’s nothing wrong with a little symbiosis every now and then; two heads are better than one. If you want to talk about your dysfunctional relationships, feel free to email us….both of us, of course.

-Lynn Jones & Elena Powell

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