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Inspirational stories The role of the manager in an organization.
The Wheel and the Light: Back in the third century B.C., the outbreak of fighting following the collapse of the Qin Dynasty had just ended. In its place now stood the Han Dynasty, whose emperor, Liu Bang, had consolidated China into a unified empire for the first time. To commemorate the event, Liu Bang had invited high-ranking military and political officials, poets, and teachers to a grand celebration. Among them was Chen Cen, the master to whom Liu Bang had often gone for enlightenment during his campaign to unify China.
The celebration was in full swing.
A banquet grander than any ever seen was being held. At the center table sat Liu Bang with his three heads of staff: • Xiao He, who administered the logistics of unification; • Han Xin, who organized and led the fighting activity; and • Chang Yang, who formulated the diplomatic and political strategies. At another table sat Chen Cen and his three disciples. While food was served, speeches given, honors presented, and entertainment performed, all looked on with pride and exhilaration - all except Chen Cen's three disciples, who sat awestruck.
Only midway through the festivities did they utter their first words. "Master," they remarked, "all is grand, all is befitting, but at the heart of the celebration lies one enigma." Sensing his disciples' hesitation, the master gently encouraged them to continue. "At the central table sits Xiao He," they proceeded. "Xiao He's knowledge of logistics cannot be refuted. Under his administration, the soldiers have always been well fed and properly armed, whatever the terrain. Next to his Han Xin. Han Xin's military tactics are beyond reproach. He understands exactly where to ambush the enemy, when to advance, and when to retreat. He has won every battle he has led. Last is Chang Yang. Chang Yang sees the dynamics of political and diplomatic relations in his palm. He knows which states to form alliances with, how to gain political favors, and how to corner heads of states into surrendering without battle. This we understand well. What we cannot comprehend is the centerpiece of the table, the emperor himself. Liu Bang cannot claim noble birth, and his knowledge of logistics, fighting, and diplomacy does not equal that of his heads of staff. How is it, then, that he is emperor?" The master smiled and asked his disciples to imagine the wheel of a chariot. "What determines the strength of a wheel in carrying a chariot forward?" he asked. After a moment of reflection, his disciples responded, "Is it not the sturdiness of the spokes, Master?" "But then, why is it," he rejoined, "that two wheels made of identical spokes differ in strength?" After a moment, the master continued, "See beyond what is seen. Never forget that a wheel is made not only of spokes but also of the space between the spokes. Sturdy spokes poorly placed make a weak wheel. Whether their full potential is realized depends on the harmony between them.
Word from AfT Understanding modern leadership, its role and the skills of the modern leader is not common. And maybe this is good, it lets us grow. Who among us reflects what role he plays in a team or in an organization? How do we influence others? What do others expect from us, their leaders? We are used to see the manager as a person that is older than us, has more experience, wider knowledge. He is an expert and we are supposed to do what he/she “orders”. But right now, the knowledge is available for everyone (books, trainings, internet) and the technology is changing so quickly that role of leader is also different. We need to shift our thinking and attitude. We as leaders should bond team members, discover and manage individual talents of everyone, and also provide effective tools to reach goals. Like the story says, the leaders are connecting the employees, making them stronger, and leading them to success! Waiting to hear about your reflections and thoughts. AfT team |
