Bhutan has a way of stripping away the noise. Standing in a quiet monastery, watching locals perform Ngöndro(prostrations), I was struck by a simple, rhythmic truth: the bow is not just for the divine. It is a practice of letting go – of ego, of entitlement, and of the need to be “right.”
In Buddhist tradition, you bow to your parents as the source of your life. But then, you also bow to your enemies.
Enemies as teachers? That stopped me.
Reflecting on my 21 years in the corporate trenches, I felt a sharp pang of missed opportunity. How many “enemies”—that cut-throat competitor, the client who pushed me to the brink, the agency that challenged my every assumption – did I spend years trying to outmaneuver or ignore?
I viewed them as obstacles to be removed. I never once thought to “bow” to them.
Looking back, I realize how much I didn’t notice:
- That demanding client wasn’t just being difficult; they were stress-testing my processes until I became bulletproof.
- That competitor wasn’t just stealing market share; they were the reason I had to innovate or vanish.
- The detractor who pointed out my flaws? They were providing the free consulting I was too proud to pay for.
In the heat of a target-driven career, we mistake friction for a failure. We treat the rival as an obstacle when, in reality, they are the very catalyst for our evolution.
I’m not saying you have to invite your rivals to dinner. But there is a quiet power in acknowledging that your growth – the version of you that exists today: is a collaborative effort between you and those who pushed you the hardest.
I spent two decades winning battles. I wish I’d spent more time noticing who was actually making me stronger.
Perspective: Next time you feel the sting of a professional “enemy,” don’t just fight back. Take a breath, acknowledge the role they’re playing in your growth, and offer a metaphorical bow.
You’ll find your ego carries a lot less weight.
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