Kreatywność w korporacyjnej dżungli

Środowisko korporacyjne może czasem wydawać się dżunglą. Istnieją pisane i niepisane prawa, których lepiej przestrzegać, jeśli chcesz być członkiem stada. Można w nim nawet spotkać drapieżców, którzy wyglądają, jakby chcieli nas pożreć żywcem. W tym środowisku potrzeba siły charakteru, wysokich umiejętności interpersonalnych oraz narzędzi komunikacyjnych.

A few years ago, I took part in a company workshop about personalities in corporations. The concept referenced a book written by Seema Raghunath, ‘The Corporate Jungle’. We were told that corporations abound with different animals, such as jaguars, bears, lions or cats. We were also told that some animals are clearly better than others; some help the company prosper by taking the initiative and some are, simply put, not welcome, as they are too withdrawn and cowardly to make a difference. I remember walking out angry from this event, having felt that there was a strong intention to make us, employees, ‘fit in’, an expectation that we should all be jaguars and a warning that a corporation is definitely not a place for introverted, quiet people. Luckily, from my experience I already knew better. I knew the company needed a variety of characters and roles. In hindsight, I also understand the workshop didn’t do justice to the book: it’s a compelling read that offers insight into some important interpersonal dynamics. It also accurately reflects the atmosphere of a corporate competitive environment with its law of the strongest. But for the sake of business and people, I