I once heard a story that completely changed how I think about work, challenges, and taking initiative. It’s a simple observation from the plains of Colorado.
In Colorado, storms typically roll in from the west and move east. When a storm is coming, cows, sensing the change in pressure, do what seems logical: they start to run east, away from the storm. But here’s the problem: cows are not very fast. The storm quickly overtakes them, and they continue to run within the storm, getting battered by the wind and rain. By trying to outrun the problem, they inadvertently maximize the amount of time they spend in pain and misery.
Buffalo, on the other hand, have a completely different and seemingly counterintuitive instinct. When they sense the same storm coming from the west, they turn and charge directly west, heading straight into the heart of the storm. By running at the storm, they pass through it in the quickest and most efficient way possible. They minimize the amount of time they spend in pain and misery.
This simple story has become my go-to metaphor for the single most important quality of a high-impact professional: proactivity. In our careers, in our projects, and in our daily work, we are all faced with approaching storms. The question is, are you a cow or a buffalo?
The Defining Question: The Cow vs. The Buffalo Mindset
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The difference between these two animals is a perfect illustration of a reactive versus a proactive mindset.
- The Reactive (Cow) Mindset: This is the default for many of us. We wait for problems to arrive. We react to emails as they come in. We wait for our manager to assign us our next task. We see a “storm”—a difficult project, a looming deadline, a potential conflict—and we hope it will go away. We try to run from it, only to find ourselves caught in a prolonged period of stress and reactive firefighting.
- The Proactive (Buffalo) Mindset: This is the mindset of an owner. A person with this mindset does not wait for problems to land on their desk. They are constantly scanning the horizon, anticipating future challenges and opportunities. When they see a storm approaching, their instinct is not to run, but to engage. They charge at the challenge, knowing that the fastest way to get to the other side of a problem is to go directly through it.
Also read: Are You Hiring Employees or Owners?
The Buffalo Playbook: 4 Steps to Becoming More Proactive
Switching from a cow to a buffalo is not about changing your personality; it’s about changing your habits and your mindset. It’s a skill you can build.
Step 1: Learn to See the Storm Coming (Anticipate Future Needs)
Buffalo sense the change in atmospheric pressure. Proactive professionals learn to sense the changing pressures in their business. They do not just focus on their immediate to-do list; they lift their heads up and look at the horizon.
- Ask “What’s Next?”: When you finish a project, don’t just wait for the next one. Ask your manager, “What is the biggest challenge our team will face in the next six months? How can I start preparing for it now?”
- Listen to the System: Pay attention to the low-grade frustrations in your team. The clunky process everyone complains about, the recurring customer issue. These are the early signs of a storm. A cow complains about the problem; a buffalo starts researching a solution.
Step 2: Run at the Roar (Develop a Bias for Action)
The defining characteristic of a buffalo is its instinct to charge into the storm. The defining characteristic of a proactive professional is a “bias for action.” They understand that it is better to make a good decision and act now than to wait for a perfect decision later.
- Solve the Problem in Front of You: If you see a piece of trash on the office floor, you don’t form a committee to discuss it; you pick it up. Apply this mindset to your work. If you see a small problem that you can solve in 10 minutes, solve it immediately.
- Embrace the “Draft”: Perfectionism is the enemy of proactivity. Instead of waiting to have a perfect proposal, create a rough draft and share it with the heading, “This is a first draft, I’d love your thoughts.” This invites collaboration and builds momentum.
Also read: Why Having a Bias for Action is Important in Leaders
Step 3: Shrink the Suffering (The Surprising Benefit of Facing Challenges Head-On)
This is the most powerful and counterintuitive lesson from the buffalo. By running into the storm, they minimize their time in it. Proactive professionals understand this principle deeply.
Think about that difficult feedback you need to give to a colleague. A cow puts it off. The unresolved issue festers, the relationship sours, and the anxiety about the conversation grows every day. You spend weeks suffering in the “storm.” A buffalo has the difficult conversation today. It might be uncomfortable for 15 minutes, but then it’s over. The issue is resolved, and the path is clear.
Proactivity is not about being fearless; it’s about understanding that the pain of avoiding a problem is almost always greater than the pain of facing it.
Step 4: Lead the Herd (How Proactivity Inspires Your Team)
When one buffalo starts to run towards the storm, the rest of the herd follows. Proactivity is contagious. As a leader, your behavior sets the tone for your entire team.
If you are reactive, constantly firefighting, and complaining about problems, you will create a culture of reactive “cows.” If you are proactive, consistently anticipating challenges, and taking ownership of solutions, you will inspire a herd of “buffalos.” You don’t create a proactive culture through memos or posters; you create it by being the first one to run at the storm.
Also read: Why Leaders Need to Lead by Example
The Choice is Yours
In a business world that is changing faster than ever, the storms of disruption, competition, and new challenges will always be on the horizon. The reactive, “cow” mindset of waiting for problems to hit you is a recipe for stress and stagnation.
The proactive, “buffalo” mindset is the key to growth, impact, and leadership. It’s a choice to face challenges head-on, to take ownership of your environment, and to move through adversity with speed and purpose.
So, when you see the next storm gathering on your professional horizon, ask yourself the question: will you be a cow, or will you be a buffalo?
If you’re looking to build a proactive, ownership-driven culture on your team, FocusU’s leadership programs are designed to cultivate the mindset and skills that turn employees into leaders.
