Home Page About Dragons(The Introduction from the Book) The imagery of dragons is a vivid and compelling metaphor for the dynamics of people in the corporate world. Dragons are a paradox- something dangerous and powerful- courted by some, avoided by others, but ignored by no one. The Western paradigm is exemplified by some of the oldest pieces of literature in the Romance languages- the myth of St. George and the epic poem of Beowulf. St. George rescued a Libyan king's daughter from an evil dragon. In return for the dragon's head, the king promised that all of his subjects would be baptized as Christians. St. George is revered as an icon of martial valor and selflessness in the Christian world, and became the patron saint of England. The oldest known piece of literature in the English language is the epic poem Beowulf. At the end of the poem the heroic king's last act of valor was to kill a dragon, with the help of his bravest warrior, Wiglaf. Beowulf won the encounter with the fire-breathing, poisonous serpent. He later died of his wounds, comforted by the knowledge that the dragon's hoarded gold would support his kingdom in times of famine. The Western paradigm of dragons parallels the attitude of many people in the corporate culture toward politics, change, and other perils of business and economy. Fear manifests itself in either avoidance or combat. Avoidance by attempting to "stay out" of water-cooler politics, laying low and hoping not to be noticed for the next round of layoffs. Combat by engaging in fierce competition over positions or market share. In Eastern art and literature, the dragon looks remarkably similar - it's still a huge, reptilian creature with claws, fangs and wings - but it is seen as a beautiful symbol of abundance and blessing. In Chinese mythology, Eastern dragons are benevolent, helpful and wise. Chinese people around the world call themselves "Lung Tik Chuan Ren" or Descendents of the Dragon. Both male and female dragons have mated with humans in mythology and their descendants have been powerful rulers. The Japanese emperor Hirohito traced his ancestry back 125 generations to the daughter of the Dragon King of the Sea. Eastern dragons fill a role similar to angels in the Western culture - in that they are worshipped and revered as protectors. Pagodas, temples and shrines throughout China allow supplicants to burn incense and pray to dragons. The Black Dragon Pool Chapel, near Peking, was reserved for the Empress and her court. Rather than being poisonous, dragons are thought to give life. The dragon's breath is called "sheng chi" or divine energy. Superimposed on the corporate world, this view supplies an alternative- observing the natural rhythms of the market and the economy. Appreciating and engaging the personal characteristics of people that we work with or compete against. The apparent paradox between the Eastern and Western view of dragons is a fantastic illustration of how businesspeople react to the unpredictable and often chaotic forces that steer businesses and careers toward failure or success. Looking at the same situation, one person sees danger where another sees opportunity. The corporate world has always been full of dragons. How you deal with them (and how they deal with YOU) often depends more on your point of view than on the weapons you hold.
Taming the Dragons iUniverse talks with Paula Gamonal, Author of Taming the Dragons Introduction- Why the Dragon Metaphor? Review of Taming the Dragons by Joseph Bentley, Professor of Management sdfsdf |
