Between the Cows and Elephants

The Jim Pascoe Playbook Vol. 3 | No. 2

Before you kick off a major transformation — whether it’s a creative reinvention, a business pivot, or just shaking the dust off your routine — there’s a crucial zone you must pass through. I call it between the cows and elephants.

What the heck, Jim Pascoe? Is this some kind of pastoral acid trip or an unhinged Midjourney prompt? Nope, stay with me. While this is perfect for teams, (um, including romantic relationship!) you can ask yourself these questions about a personal project you’re working on.

The (Sacred) Cows

These are the habits, tools, meetings, traditions, or “we’ve always done it this way” systems that no one questions. Sometimes they’re still useful. Sometimes they’re dead weight. The problem is: no one feels safe to challenge them.

What to do: List them. Say them out loud. Ask: Why does this exist? Who does it serve now?

The Elephants (in the Room)

These are the issues everyone knows about but no one brings up: A toxic dynamic. A boss who plays favorites. A project that’s secretly on life support.

What to do: Surface them. Frame the conversation with curiosity, not blame. Remember, naming an elephant doesn’t kill it — we don’t kill elephants around here, people — but naming it does stop the large pachyderm from trampling everyone.

The Magic (aka The Dolphins)

Here’s where it gets good. Between the cows and the elephants is a certain magic. You need to name the magic you want to protect — the ineffable culture, energy, or spark that makes your team worth working with, your project worth working on. This isn’t fluff. It’s what keeps people aligned when the change gets hard.

Why dolphins? They’re smart, social, fast-moving, and magnetic. You don’t tame dolphins. You swim with them.

What to do: Ask your team:

• What do we do here that no one else does?

• What moments feel effortless and alive?

• If we lose this in the change, we’ll lose ourselves — what is it?

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The Assignment:

When you reach a creative block and need some inspiration:

• Write down three sacred cows.

• Name two elephants.

• Describe your dolphins.

Then — ask your team or your partner to do the same. Compare notes. The overlaps will show you where your creative energy is strong. The gaps? That’s where the real work begins.

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Change done right doesn’t bulldoze. It listens. It surfaces what matters. And it protects the spark.

So the next time you’re about to charge ahead, pause. Look around. You might be standing between cows, elephants... and a few dolphins.

love,

jpp

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Want help surfacing the unspoken before your next big leap? Let RAVE Collective be your strategic partner. Hit reply. Let’s talk.

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