Parasites, Parrots and Pissing on the tree

Parasites, Parrots and Pissing on the tree

By Thomas W. Kopf

We all know one; maybe you are one (If so, keep reading because you might learn something about yourself that will benefit your career).  And, even if we don’t recognize someone as such, we likely have been the victim of one.  The characteristics I speak of are often found in individuals who either don’t have the skills or the confidence to produce anything of value on their own.  They are the parasites and parrots of the business world, and can often be found pissing on the tree. 

See if you can recognize someone like this.

Unlike collaborators that feed on the energy of the group, parasites feed on the efforts of other people.  They hang in the shadows until someone who has ideas and action produce something of value.  Then they appear and claim the work as their own.  They do this in subtle ways.  They might claim leadership of a team that, under their direction, came up with fabulous ideas even though their actions did not contribute to the team effort.  They might offer up conceptual statements that support the idea someone else has created (leading to the illusion that they themselves have created something and the actual creator simply executed their idea).  Often, they insist on being the sole communicator in order to control the conversation allowing them to take credit for other’s actions.

Regardless of how parasites achieve their goal, the result is often the same.  They suck the lifeblood out of the team and gain their prominence at the expense of those who actually produce the work.  Over time, the team’s productivity is diminished, as real producers only reluctantly work for parasites.  Team members need to know their efforts are being appreciated and recognized.   Working for a parasite creates animosity and resentment.  It can destroy the creative spark of the team.  And, it reduces effectiveness --the producers are less motivated to produce without any recognition of their own contribution.  Unfortunately, the subtlety of the parasite’s approach can be difficult to spot. So many are often unaware of the parasite’s insidious presence and can’t respond appropriately.

Equally as damaging are the parrots.  Often they are parasites as well, and their story is the same.  But instead of stealing other people’s work efforts they steal their words and ideas.  I once witnessed a pre-meeting that reviewed responsibilities and talking points for a major presentation.  The parrot listened attentively, acknowledging their individual role in the presentation. Then, they proceeded to communicate all of the presenter’s talking points in the final presentation, leaving the remaining team speechless.  The parrot looked like a genius and the other presenters looked like hired help.

Often, the parrot will listen to the ideas of the group, wait a few minutes and re-state the idea as their own.  Team members will stare incredulously while the parrot fully believes they are having an original thought.  Even when confronted with the reality that someone else said the same thing just a few minutes earlier, the parrot can’t believe they didn’t think of it first.  They hide behind the pretense of being thoughtful, only to take what they can at the right moment.

Where there is controversy, the parrot has a similar strategy.   They look to see which way the wind is blowing and set their sail in that direction.  They will the present the consensus approach as a major revelation. The parrot’s expectation is that everyone will acknowledge their insight and will believe they lead the group to enlightenment.  Once again, the damage can be irreversible.  Team members feel cheated and trivialized. 

The last characteristic shared by these individuals is the concept of pissing on the tree.  Simply put, this is the act of following someone else’s action with the same, or similar, action to give the impression that it was their action in the first place.  It mirrors the way dogs will piss on a tree to mark their territory.  It’s common to see two dogs taking turns to be the last one to piss on the same tree to claim it as their own.  Just as the last dog standing gets to claim the tree, the violator gets to claim the words, or ideas, or actions as their own.  While our scoundrel may feel better about themselves, it often leaves the client very confused.

It’s hard to discern if people do these things intentionally or are oblivious to their actions.  It’s disturbing to think that this is an intentional strategy to promote oneself above others, but it is equally disturbing that professionals in today’s world can be so out of touch with their own actions and how they undermine the team.  These are the actions of desperate individuals.  They either have no original thought or lack confidence in their ability.  Often, they may not realize exactly what they are doing, or why. 

For the benefit of the team, it’s important to expose these people for who they are.   Regardless of the motivations, these actions are counterproductive and potential time-bombs for any organization.  Talented people will abandon a leadership group that allows this activity to proliferate.  It is up to each team member to identify these parasites and parrots, and stop the pissing on the tree.

World Changing: A new paradigm for community design

This is a voice over powerpoint program that I presented at the Pacific Coast Builder Conference in 2009. The purpose is to begin a dialogue about a new way to create neigborhoods in America. It is meant to evoke new ideas and new approaches. Our current economic woes create breathing room for thought. What are yours?

Now the Fun Begins

Creating a vision for the property that responds to the site and meets my social, philosophical, and economic goals is the best part of my work. The creativity we bring to this part of the process determines our success or failure. It creates the framework for all of the details to follow. It establishes the program of buildings and acitvities. It allows me to evaluate development cost and potential revenues. The physical plan is just the beginning. Over the next few posts I will be describing my vision for the site and the architecture. I will be detailing how the project will earn revenue. I will be creating a preliminary cost estimate and pro forma analysis. But for now, take a look at the plan and read the beginnings of the vision.





Retreat Center (15,800 SF)

The Retreat Center is the heart of the community. It is a place of learning, socializing, sharing food, sleeping and relaxing. It has places to learn gourmet cooking, to meet, to read, to write, to paint or draw and to sculpt. The Grand Living Room doubles as a large classroom while smaller rooms allow for group discussions or presentations. The second level consists primarily of 14 rooms that sleep 4 people each and 8 double rooms for a total of 56 people in the retreat center.

First Floor mechanical room 500
SF kitchen/storage/toilets 900 SF
dining 1500 SF
creativity rooms 3400 SF
library 400 SF
Grand Living Room 2400 SF
Second Floor toilet/bath/storage 900 SF
sleeping 4900 SF
Tower managers apartment 900 SF
Retreat Cottages (9900 SF)

The Retreat Cottages are designed as small self-contained living units with private baths, closets, kitchen and living area. The cottages will function as executive lodging for corporate retreats, instructor lodging for university use and private residences for learning vacations. There are 11 cottages averaging 900 SF each. Where possible the cottages will be tucked into the hillside and have green roofs. An exception will be a special tree house built into a large oak in the forest. In areas with high ground water cottages will be entirely above ground.

Existing Barn (4000 SF)

The existing barn will be rehabilitated and function as the major production center of the community. The barn will house the equipment for making cheese, processing grapes and making wine, equipment for honey production, a woodshop, a kiln and will provide storage for the community tractor and wagon. Adjacent to the barn is the primary parking area allowing people to park their cars as they arrive and enjoy the activity of the community on foot.

Vertical Axis Wind Generator Field

Vertical axis wind generators begin generating usable power at wind speeds as low as 5 mph. Existing studies suggest that this area may have enough sustained wind to run 300 kw turbines at average wind speeds of 7-10 mph. It is hoped that the wind generators, in conjunction with geo-thermal ground loops for primary heating and cooling, most of the energy needs can be provided on-site. An evaluation of alternatives should be completed to determine the most effecient method of self-generated power.



Caretakers Cottage (2400 SF)

The Retreat Center and Organic Garden will require a significant investment in time and energy to maintain the buildings and grounds, tend the animals, plant and weed the crop and oversee harvesting and production.The caretakers cottage is designed to provide housing for the communities permanent staff.

Vineyard (5.5 acres)

The vineyard plays a crucial role in the communities education and production objectives. The Center will become a place for people to experience the operation of a vineyard and the making of wine. This can be the cornerstone of a learning vacation. Additionally, the vineyard and winery will make wines for on-site consumption at events and for sale to guests and at regional farmer’s markets. Guests will enjoy sipping wine while seated on the patio, in the tasting room or at a gourmet harvest dinner made from the communities produce.

The Apple Orchard (2 acres)

The apple orchard also plays an important role in the life of the retreat center. Guests can pick apples and learn to make apple butter, apple pies or even apple cider. As part of the learning experience guests can take home self-canned jars of their work.

The Bee Hives (1/3 acre)

Like the vineyard and the apple orchard the bee hives bring an added dimension to the learning experience. Guests can learn about the life of bees, and how to collect and process the honey. They will be given the opportunityto purchase the communities signature honey, which will also be for sale at regional farmer’s markets.

Goat Shed (1/3 acre)

A goat shed and milking barn is located adjacent to the caretaker’s cottage. Guests will be able to watch milking for use in the artisianal cheese making on-site. Guests can try their hand at milking and can watch the production of the cheese.

Walnut Grove (2 acres)

Over 200 walnut trees have been planted to eventually provide a significant nut harvest as well as future hard woods for sale. These trees are located in the wet areas west of the pond as walnut trees like “wet feet”.

Fishing Pond (1.8 acres)

The fishing pond is provided as a relaxing past-time for guests and as an emergency water source for the more draught sensitive plants in the organic garden. The pond is fed by both ground water and the intermittent stream flowing from the west.



Wine Cellar/ Cheese Cave (10,000 SF)

Buried into the side of the hill the wine cellar and cheese cave will allow controlled temperature aging for the artisianal products made on-site. A stone entry cottage will provide access for guests while a lift adjacent to the drive will allow for efficient movement of products for transportation. A tasting room in the stone entry cottage will allow guests to purchase the private label wine and cheese.





Organic Produce Plots (15 acres)
Central to the financial success of the community is the variety of vegetables grown in the organic produce plots at the base of the wooded hillside. The produce will be offered for sale at regional farmer’s markets and used in harvest meals as well as canning classes at the retreat center. The farm will celebrate natural foods and can be used as the focal point for teaching a more healthy lifestyle.

What does the site tell us?

Over the last year I have had the joy of spending sometime on the property. I have come to appreciate the calming affect of the grasses in the meadow blowing in the breeze, the mysterious quality of the wooded shadows and the stark effeciency of the crop land. The Site Analysis is a summary of what the site suggests and how those ideas can be incorporated into the Master Plan. Since the text is much to small to read on the graphic I have copied it here for your understanding.

Open ridge tops suggest that a tree planting program should be
completed to provided visual screening of the adjacent farm field.
The tree planting should be evergreen species to create an
effective wind break from cold northwest winds. The tree
planting will also enhance a sense of remoteness of the
southern ridge top. Primary drainage from the
adjacent farm fields may contain fertilizers and
pesticides. A constructed wetland should be
created to clean and filter the water prior to it
flowing into the intermittent stream. Ground
water seeping from the hillside should be
intercepted and diverted to the wetland area
to increase the flow of the stream. This may
also reduce the area of wet hillside effectively
increasing the useable area of the site. The
southern ridge is composed of a visually
enclosed meadow with wonderful long views
to the east. The foreground is primarily framed
by the existing hardwood forested hillside, the
middle ground is the Muddy Creek valley and the
background is the wooded and rolling hills east of
the creek.

The bottomland generally sits within the floodplain and is unbuildable,
however, the soils are loamy and fertile, well suited for crop production. The
land has been conventionally farmed for several decades and will require a
resting period in order to qualify for organic farming. A stream channel was cut
along the base of the slope to redirect the intermittent stream to the low area
along the south property line. Periodic flooding has caused this channel to
breach allowing the water to flow into the fields creating a significant wet area.
It would be appropriate to open up the original channel and enlarge the existing
pond area into a larger pond. This additional water surface could allow for the
creation of fish habitat and higher water quality. The larger pond could also be
used for water storage allowing for minor irrigation of crops adjacent to the pond
during times of limited rainfall. Along the steeper slopes of the wooded hillside
there are isolated outcroppings of limestone. The limestone could be used to
create retaining walls, face bridge abutments and be incorporated into the
architectural character created for the site. Along the ridge tops lies the Kansas
City formation while the valley is predominately the Pleasanton formation. Both
are acceptable as a building material. At approximately elevation 830 to 840
there appears to be a lens of shale. This impermeable layer directs groundwater
to the surface. Within the proximity of the shale layer the higher ground water
elevation becomes a limitation to development of subsurface facilities. The
existing hardwood forest creates an opportunity to harvest lumber for use in
on-site improvements. The county forester recommends that the locust be
removed, and the underbrush cut down in order to allow the existing oaks to
seed. Larger, less productive oaks can be cut for use as lumber. All cut woody
material should be used for on-site heating or chipped for mulch. The wet
areas at the base of the slope are ideal for planting black walnut trees. These
should produce a harvestable crop as they mature.

The relatively warm summers and cold winters suggest that it will be important to reduce both heating and cooling loads through proper orientation of windows and primary entry doors. The wide range of sun angles (approximately 82 degrees in summer and approximately 28 degrees in winter result in a terrific opportunity to create window overhangs that provide shade on the windows in the summer yet let the sun into the buildings in winter. Building design should minimize windows on the north and northwest elevations.

The vast majority of the wind speeds exceed 5 mph which creates the opportunity for vertical axis wind generators for energy supply. Towers should be located at the high points of the site to capture as much wind as possible.

Carbon Credits

I am interested in selling carbon credits as a way to raise funds to begin some minor construction of my vision. I will be planting 150 trees this spring and will be implementing a continuing tree planting program. Those trees could go to offset your carbon footprint and help the learning center.

Rethinking distribution

I was thinking about how we build houses today and how large builders have a lock on the traditional supply lines of suppliers. They can negotiate favorable pricing on just about every part of the modern home. The suppliers like the predictability of large contracts and are eager to trade some profits for stability. This leaves small builders and small suppliers out in the cold. Perhaps there is a way to organize small builders and suppliers on the internet to achieve the same kind of buying power (and selling predictability) that the "big boys" get. There may in fact be significant cost savings if the supply lines can be local, versus national distribution lines.

Take lumber for example. The large lumber companies in the United States and Canada ship relatively inexpensive lumber all over the country by rail and truck. This increases the carbon footprint of the supply and increases costs directly proportional to the cost of fuel. Why not join the multitude of small mills and forests arounf the country matching local needs with local supplies. The network could be designed to provide for regional shipping as a way to balance cost with more stable supplies. Could it work?

Is Sustainability a Myth?

Are we just fooling ourselves? are we just postponing the inevitable? can we really be sustainable and maintain our incredibly high standard of living? are we willing to the forgo comforts of life in order to be sustainable? can we learn to live small? is everyone willing to invest the personal energy it will take to consume less, because they will have to do more(hang your clothes out to dry instead of putting them in the dryer...that kind of thing)?

In the talks I give around the country I have said that "I think sustainability is a myth until we change the way we live". We are willing to support most things unless it impacts us. We are willing to do most things until it makes life less comfortable.

That doesn't mean we should stop trying, or innovating, or doing what we are comfortable doing. It may buy us time. Time for new technoglogies; time for solutions; time to decide we do need to change the way we live.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?