OBSERVATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE JUNGLE

There is a current myth in the workplace that transparency is the word of the day in America. I have been noticing that the pretense of this is encouraged but for the wrong reasons. In short, it has become a way to "flush out" the thinkers and true energetic contributors so that they don't threaten the entrenched entitled old guard. That old guard may actually not be "old" in years, but insecure nonetheless. When the worker is asked for their input they are staunchly reminded that there is a protocol in place that has taken much time to establish, and that change will not come soon. Now, the sincere worker, who only wanted to share impressions has been marked as an irritant, and placed on a quiet list for future action. Their opinion was never really wanted. This was just an "old school" management tactic with no real COMMUNAL intention attached. The idea of Community has always been suspect, and feared by big business. Just see the history of Labor Unions. Big business has politically engineered the idea of "Corporate Culture" as the mirror of a community workplace. Everyone has always known that this model (essentially conformity) was unattainable and a sham, but still served many unsavory goals. Thus "players" embraced the idea knowing they could manipulate weaker souls into doing their bidding. This is the best of High School gamesmanship. However, there is a new model afoot, and making progress especially among younger educated workers. This is based more on a horizontal plane than a hierarchy of power players. The hierarchy is based on contribution, and knowledge at a certain moment in time. Thus, everyone has a chance to effect change and success in the workplace depending on what they bring to the table. Of course, people still have titles and specific responsibilities, but have to be responsive to the group dynamic rather then calling all the shots all the time. This is a more ORGANIC model, and generally easier on all concerned when embraced enthusiastically. Levels of stress decrease, work production increases, flexible schedules are welcome, maternity leave doesn't disrupt production or imply favoritism, less pretense ensues, and a more honest exchange develops among team members bringing creative solutions to the table faster and effectively. It is a new kind of Tribalism, but should lack the dangers of traditional Tribalism such as, superstition, priestly arrogance, "fear of other", etc. There will be trials, but keeping the game simple solves the problems. All have a place at the table otherwise they wouldn't be part of the whole. Here I would like to share a story from my youth. When I was fifteen I went to Ecuador for a time. During this phase of my life I was drawn to adventure (I still am). A tribe in the jungle of Ecuador, the Aukas (sp?), had just killed five Lutheran missionaries at the demand of their Medicine man-Priest. I was visiting Quito at the time, and met the families of these missionaries who were devastated by this tragedy. They offered to take me to meet the tribe, and I was totally into the trip! Because they were Christian they felt it was their duty to forgive, and continue to serve the tribe despite the disaster. I thought the missionaries were crazy, but wanted to meet the "head-hunters". When we got to the camp, not far from the place where the men were killed, we were greeted with jolly smiles and laughter. Our arrival was a celebration for these indigenous people that actually looked like jungle people. They barely resembled the modern culture of the time. They were playfully running up to us and hanging onto our arms, smelling our clothes, touching and poking us. I was tall, very white,blond,and must have looked like I came from another planet. I remember thinking that might be a way to see if we were ready to eat? Anyway, I was oddly enjoying the experience,and not in any way fearful. As it turned out the tribal members discovered that their Medicine man-Priest confessed being threatened by the magic of the Missionaries, and inflamed the tribe into killing the missionaries when they landed in their helicopter that fateful day. The tribe had been duped by him, and when they figured this out they exacted the severe penalty of death on him. However, there was not a sense of forgiveness, but a sense of justice withn their reprisal. They were happy again. There is more to the story like my acquiring two shrunken heads later taken away by U.S. customs much to my chagrin, but the purpose of the story here is to illustrate a point. Where there is a fixed internal tribal structure or hierarchy there is the real problem of abuse of power coming from fear of loss of power. leading to disaster. In these times disaster can take on momentous proportions threatening the world. We cannot afford primitive hierarchical models anymore, because the effects are too great. We can now, with the new models available redefine the "tribe" and the workplace. We really don't have a choice do we?