Running with the Elephants: Prioritizing the Voices That Drive Success

Running with the Elephants

In business, you must think like an elephant—big, strategic, and forward-looking. The small-minded, those who are focused on short-term gains or minor details, won’t always understand why you’re making the moves you’re making

A while ago, a mentor gave me advice that has stuck with me throughout my professional journey: “Don’t put a lot of weight on the people who won’t matter in your life.” At first, this idea struck me as harsh and confusing. Like many, I believed in treating everyone equally and valuing everyone’s opinions. However, as I’ve grown and encountered more situations in business and life, I’ve come to understand the wisdom behind this advice.

My mentor explained that there is a large class of people who, while they may mean well, will ultimately waste your time. These individuals often have no bearing on your progress, and their input is usually ill-informed or, worse, based on the opinions of others. This isn’t to say these people are inadequate or unworthy of respect—far from it. However, as professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs, we must recognize that not every voice should carry the same weight in our decision-making processes.

One of the key lessons from that conversation was the importance of focusing on people with expertise in their field. These are the people whose insights come from a place of knowledge and experience. My mentor also emphasized paying particular attention to the 2% of truly driven people—those who are skilled, passionate, and committed to growth. That concept, the 2% who are driven, resonated with me deeply. I’ve always understood the value of working with individuals motivated to succeed and willing to work hard to make it happen.

Recently, I found myself in a situation where this lesson came into play. From the outset, I was negotiating a deal with a company that behaved as though they were doing us a favor by even including us. Clearly, they didn’t value our input or truly understand the value we brought to the table. As I assessed the situation objectively, I realized it wasn’t worth the energy to fight for recognition that wouldn’t come. My peers were puzzled when I said, “Let’s just deliver what they’re asking for.” They couldn’t understand why I didn’t push harder to demonstrate our value.

But here’s the thing: sometimes, you must let people learn from their mistakes. This client wasn’t interested in our expertise, so I let the situation play out rather than expend more effort trying to convince them of our worth. It’s like letting a baby fall and go “boom” so they can learn how to walk. Eventually, they will see what they missed, and when they do, they’ll have learned a valuable lesson—one that we wouldn’t have been able to teach them by simply telling them.

This experience reinforced something I’ve seen repeatedly: many people won’t understand the decisions made by leaders, mainly when those decisions are based on what’s best for the bottom line. In business, tough calls must be made; not everyone will agree with or comprehend them. It’s often because they view things from a smaller, more limited perspective. I’m reminded of a saying I heard once: “The opinions of ants are irrelevant to the elephants.”

In business, you must think like an elephant—big, strategic, and forward-looking. The small-minded, those who are focused on short-term gains or minor details won’t always understand why you’re making the moves you’re making. But that’s okay. Not everyone will get it, and they don’t need to. What’s important is that you’re clear on your goals and making decisions aligning with your vision.

This doesn’t mean I believe in treating people poorly or dismissing others simply because they disagree. On the contrary, I still hold firm to the belief that everyone should be treated with respect, grace, and compassion. Every individual deserves to be heard, but not every opinion deserves to influence your decisions. That distinction is key.

As professionals, we must be mindful of where we place our attention. If we spend too much time focused on the wrong voices, we risk losing sight of the bigger picture. We risk being bogged down by the opinions of those who don’t have the experience or vision to see where we’re headed. Instead, I’ve prioritized surrounding myself with the 2%—those driven individuals who share my passion for growth, innovation, and excellence.

The majority of my time and energy is spent running with the elephants. These are the people who challenge me, inspire me, and push me to be better. They understand the complexity of the decisions I have to make and bring value to the table. While I will always treat everyone with respect, I know that I need to focus on those who share my commitment to excellence to grow and succeed.

So, if you find yourself in a similar situation—where you’re unsure whose advice to follow or whose opinion to consider—remember this: not all voices carry the same weight. Respect everyone, but be selective about whose counsel you take to heart. Focus on the experts, the driven, and the passionate. They’re the ones who will help you grow. And when you find yourself running with the elephants, don’t worry about the opinions of the ants—they simply don’t have the same view from the top.