The Fish Head Theory
When you think of the head of an Organization, do you ever consider its direct relatability to the head of a fish? To many, it may be a vague difference but not to the natives of West Africa. In Liberia and West Africa, fish is a major commodity traded regionally and globally, providing thousands of jobs - much like the leaders of strong organizations.
To stay ahead of the pack, most Organization Leaders start their day early in the morning, to accomplish an abundance of goals for the day. In West Africa Fishermen leave early in the morning, load their fishing nets and equipment in canoes, and head out into the Atlantic Ocean, so the Coastal communities of West Africa can have an abundance of fresh fish. Generally, they return to shore around three pm sell their catch to a local marketeer. Similar to the Leaders of Organizations who get in early to start work and by mid-day they are networking, meeting with key stakeholders, and looking for ways to grow their organization.
Analyzing the Fish Head Theory
The growth of most organizations depends on certain factors that will determine its growth, such as its location, its mission, or even its target market. However, the most important factor in determining the potential growth of the organization is its Leader, the head of the organization. Considering these factors most Leaders are under the pressure of accomplishing key goals in a timely manner, which can be tricky. In West Africa, where electricity is scarce and unreliable - the Marketeers are under pressure to sell the fish as quickly as possible. The African heat is unforgiving and can destroy the goods in a relatively short period, which isn’t the most ideal for fishermen because knowledgeable consumers systematically assess the freshness of the fish by inspecting the head.
If the gill is red, the buyer knows the fish is fresh and the entire fish is good for consumption. If the gill is discolored or brownish, the consumer can safely assume the entire fish is no good or has been compromised. This simple act of assessing the head of the fish can be directly applied when assessing an organization’s effectiveness and viability. If the leader of the organization is weak, and or ineffective the entire organization is at risk, much like the head of the fish.
Applying the Fish Head Theory
Like the body of a fish, when the head of an organization is compromised, productivity is low, retention of qualified personnel is difficult and the bottom line can be negatively impacted. Systematically assessing leadership style when considering the growth of an organization is critical in determining the organization’s viability.
About the Author
Juanita Rameriz is the Global Gender Equity Director of WWLLC. She is a patriot and a fierce advocate for women’s children’s and animals’ rights. Besides being the WWLLC ‘Boots on the Ground’ when it comes to women’s empowerment, Juanita captures Liberia’s compelling history of civil strife, war, and redemption through Photos by Nete.
Wokie Weah has a deep understanding of youth development, education administration, and organizational development at the local, national and international levels.
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