[Water Lily]

Задумалась, в какой тред это запостить: то ли в Дурацкие Теории, то ли еще куда. Наверное, все-таки сюда. Коллеги прислали:


Middle-Earth at the office


The Lord of the Rings can be seen as a powerful metaphor for the workplace, RICK LASH writes. Here's his guide to figuring out which characters your colleagues may mirror


By RICK LASH


UPDATED AT 8:12 AM EST
Friday, Mar. 5, 2004


It's the battle that never ends: An epic tale of a little person fighting against unimaginable power, demonstrating how sheer perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds can achieve success.

There are those so corrupted, they're almost unrecognizable, others who seem like allies but will stab you as soon as your back is turned; still others who provide support when you least expect it.

The plot of The Lord of the Rings? Or just another day at the office? Well, it could be both.

Middle-Earth isn't as far from reality as you might think. If you look hard enough, you can find great battles of good versus evil played out in the hallways and boardrooms of your organization.

The Lord of the Rings could stand as a powerful metaphor for corporate life. Take a close look at some of your colleagues and see how they fit into Middle-Earth Inc.

THE TRUE LEADER

Somewhere in your company is the person who should be in charge. He's proven himself worthy and has the support of a broad range of employees and clients. He's the leader who can help make the organization a better place and inspires others to action.

Such leaders put aside self-interest for the good of the organization and genuinely believe they have a responsibility to support the larger social good. Good leaders create organizations where the need for greater meaning and purpose at work can be realized. They encourage teamwork and the chance to be a part of something larger than ourselves.

THE CHARACTER:

Aragorn, the king in waiting who wins the confidence of the Fellowship and leads them through danger to victory. Like all great leaders, he engenders trust and allegiance, inspires hope and recognizes the average folk who truly make a difference.

THE FREE SPIRIT

Remember that colleague down in accounting who gave up that great job to pursue something she truly loved? She was the talk of the office for weeks. Why? Because we are all slightly in awe of those who have the courage to make a life-changing decision based on the heart instead of the pocketbook. Such people make choices to pursue a different life doing the work they love, rather than spend an eternity doing something that leaves them feeling empty.

THE CHARACTER

Arwen, the elf princess who gave up her immortality for a mortal life with Aragorn. Even the elves of Middle-Earth, writes philosopher Bill Davis, knew that immortality, like doing the same job year in and year out, can get overwhelmingly boring. Arwen teaches that we all thirst for passion and meaning in our work and that from time to time we need to have the courage to find it.

THE HIDDEN ALLIES

They take forever to get to the point or make a decision. They hide in a forest of cubicles, taking care of their charges without noticing - or caring about -- what's going on around them. But when you least expect it, they provide you with the means and support to get the job done. It could be the IT specialist who can miraculously locate the file no one else can or the person in accounting who can find the obscure but critical piece of financial information you need.

THE CHARACTER

The Ents, the ancient guardians of the trees. Organizational Ents, like the fictional ones, stay in the background and we miss seeing them unless we take the time to discover them. . Wander into other departments and get to know these people: You may find allies where you least expect to find them.

THE CROSS-BEARER

When was the last time you were drafted to take on a job no one else wanted to do? It may have been to champion an important but unpopular project, deliver a difficult message to your boss or inform your staff that the department is being downsized.

Taking on tough jobs is an important lesson in the power of personal accountability for any would-be leader. These are people who deeply care about their organization and worry about its future. They have a strong sense of their duty to do the right thing, even if it comes at some personal cost.

THE CHARACTER

The hobbit Frodo Baggins, who volunteers to carry the ring of power to Mount Doom to destroy it and save the world. Who in your organization takes up the burden of trying to change the system and must bear the responsibility that comes with it?

THE HEALER

In the hectic rush of going from one meeting to the next and putting out fires, sometimes it feels that we're constantly on the battlefield with no place of refuge. But there are those in the office who offer colleagues a place of renewal and transformation -- a boss who can see your potential and takes a deep interest in your passion and future career, or a colleague you can always go to when in need of quiet reflection and renewal.

THE CHARACTER

Galadriel, the elf queen. She lives in the kingdom Lothlorien, the quiet and peaceful refuge where the Fellowship can come to rest. It is a place solitude and peace on the long journey. The Galadriels of the workplace serve to remind us of the importance of finding balance and taking the time for quiet reflection on our life goals. They can be true healers when called upon.

THE SAGE

Think back. In any organization there are the keepers of history, who remember what the organization was like years ago, and are sought out for their wise counsel. They may not be in positions of formal power but they wield their influence through the strength of their character. These are the moral and spiritual compasses of the organization. In their careers, they have faced many battles and have grown wise in the use of power. They are often mentors and have lessons to teach about life and how to navigate the corporate jungle.

THE CHARACTER

Gandalf, the wizard. Gandalf's role was to provide hope and inspiration for Middle-Earth. The right hand of Aragorn, Gandolf influenced through his collaboration with others, the power of his vision and the trust he inspired. All organizations need those who have wisdom to remind others what is truly important.