As senior level managers, we can derive a valuable teaching from literature that criticism is part of appreciation and it gives holistic view; learning must never stop and that "we stand in need of training for enjoyment".
It has been rightly said, "art moves from stage to stage by two opposing paths; the way of constructive acceptance and the way of revolt." This rule is applicable to everything on earth and in the universe, be it evolution of mankind and animals or professional growth. To take up anything new involves planning, organizing, controlling, directing and leading by deed or example. In this process, there are various alternatives that must be evaluated thoroughly to choose the ultimate and the most suitable one and on this depends success or failure of the task undertaken. Needless to say, the path to success is cleared once obstacles are tackled carefully. The concept of thesis, anti-thesis and synthesis substantiates the above-mentioned argument. Organizational politics is precisely one aspect that has to be handled well for employees to collectively strive for overall development of the organization to remain ahead in the market.
Today's professionals are somewhat caught in the same situation as Antony of Shakespeare's play 'Antony and Cleopatra' who had to face a stiff choice between being "world's best soldier" and "world's greatest lover" wherein lay the tragedy that world's greatest lover could only blossom over the grave of world's greatest soldier and vice versa. Thankfully, policies like flexi time and work from home have made the balancing act for professionals easier, especially for today's Antonys and Cleopatras. :)
In literature, there is no right and only analysis of a poem. Each poem can be explained at various levels from different perspectives- allegorical, symbolical and others. Similar is the case with employee issues. One size fits all approach does not hold true today for each employee comes with a new set of talents, expectations and worries which need efficient and effective handling by the HR managers.
The common ground of literature and HR brings these two vibrant disciplines together- both deal with the most valuable treasure of the universe: MANKIND
