Stop Catching Rabbits if you want to Build Elephants!

Subroto Bagchi wrote in The Elephant Catchers: “People who catch rabbits can’t catch elephants". And honestly, that’s the perfect diagnosis of why many founders stay 'busy' but don’t really scale.

Rabbits reward speed. Elephants reward patience, systems, & a different kind of leadership.

Recently, Dr. Anand Deshpande, the founder of a $9 billion powerhouse said - I give the same advice about scaling up in orbits so if you’ve heard it before at least i am consistent, the audience laughed & chimed 'and Persistent’! :)

What stayed with me were his references to Indian mythology intertwining business concepts, the bison fly idiom, his grounded, sober, perceptive & worldly wise approach.

1) Every company needs 3 kinds of people
Thought Leaders, the quiet solution builders, Coaches to catch & grow people, Rainmakers to open markets & close big deals.

2) Build for global, even if you sell local
If you’re building products, build with global standards from day one.
AI isn’t a fad. Speed matters. The world rewards teams that build fast, learn fast & iterate.

3) Scaling happens in orbits
Growth happens in S-curves, not straight lines. What worked in your first orbit will often stop working in the next.
Before asking “how do we scale?, ask 'What’s our mountain?' Visualise it clearly. The path will follow.

4) Why don't we build more products in India
Products don’t give instant gratification.They demand investment now, payoff later.
Services feel safer. Products demand elephant level patience.

5) Execution beats networking
Action precedes more knowledge. Be part of meaningful rooms, don’t just be there.

6) The 'buffalo fly' strategy
If you’re the fly, you move with the buffalo. Attach yourself to the right big player, learn the terrain, ride momentum to go global.

7) Leadership means aligning silos
Add governance early. Boards aren’t 'corporate drama'. They’re accountability.

8) When revenue dips
Protect customers, Protect employees, Sharpen the saw
If revenue drops sharply, salary cuts should happen across levels based on ability to absorb, higher salaries take higher cuts.

9) Culture, brand & fairness
The fastest way to destroy a company? Different rules for different people.
Your work is your brand. Your people are your brand. Reward great work. Treat good behaviour well.

10) The definition of Success
Life has 4 parts : sukh, yash, ananda, samadhan
Samadhan comes from giving; be it time, mentorship, investment or help.
Mentors can be anyone: elders, peers, industry experts, even your kids.

Life is about balancing the external and internal!

Which rabbit are you still chasing that’s keeping you from building your elephant?