Connection - II

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

Connection- Part I

Dreams have the power of alchemy. To believe in giving wings to thought and thus acknowledging the power of human mind can lead a person to soaring heights.

What does it take to be a good manager? Literature has an answer to that. One might be tempted to ask- is there a relation? The answer is- YES. Literature does not go by resolutions because to have resolutions will mean setting boundaries to the power of thinking. Writers do not limit their thought process and HR needs to do just that for exploiting creative potential that mind can unfold.
The Hindi translation of literature is "sahitya" which means 'for the benefit of others'. It reminds all the HR managers of the purpose their profession was conceived for- justice to employees' concerns and betterment of service conditions.
Some cynics would argue literature to be all about flights of fantasy and doing nothing but building castles in the air and writing about it. No problem cynics! The primary aim of literature is projection of idealism and "to find an echo" from every heart. HR managers work to ensure smile of satisfaction on the face of every employee and to make and implement polices for the same. Satisfaction of employees is the idealism that HR fraternity is working at 24x7. Attrition is a fact that shows dissatisfaction amongst employees which to some extent is good. (Had man been satisfied, we would have been moving around jungles and caves and not talking about development at all!). It only proves that the HR manager in the next company is working harder towards providing plugholes to the pins of your dissatisfaction.
How can we ignore the Renaissance concept of "virtue" when we talk of an updated and progressive professional? 'Virtue' signified "a single minded pursuit of a goal, ignoring all else, even other considerations if they come in the way of what an individual had set his heart to." Infinite desire for knowledge was what led Doctor Faustus (protagonist of Christopher Marlowe's play by the same name) to claim for himself- “thou art still a man” and to tread the forbidden path. Such intensity is needed to remain abreast with the latest and lead by the power of knowledge.