The human resource function (HR) from every corporate must learn a bit of entomology, especially the behaviour of the tiny ants. Research studies have proved that all ants from the same colony exhibit similar behaviour. Laziness, fighting tendency, hardworking habit etc., are some of the behaviours of ants in different colonies were studied by the entomologists.
All ants from the some colonies were typically lazy and the laziness was noted in all most all members of the ants in the same colony. Similarly, the fighting trait or hardworking trait was also noticed in one ant in a colony was seen across other members of the same colony as well.
Why all ants from the same colony behave in a similar way?
This stereotyped behaviour can be seen among employees working in the same corporate as well. Despite their profile, hierarchy or rank, all the employees carry some indicator behavour that is specific to a corporate. By indexing the indicator behaviour, easily the employees can be grouped based on the corporate they work and their ‘colleague’ status can be established.
Only with some ‘similarity’, the employees identify themselves to be the members of the same flock. Dissimilarity is condemned and the employees who exhibit dissimilarity are isolated or thrown out from the corporate.
The ants from the same colony carry a specific pheromone and through the specific pheromone, ants re-establish their colony identity. The interesting question is that what way, the corporate people are different from ants? Instead of ‘pheromone’ they carry some ‘behavioural similarity/style’ to maintain their corporate identity.
Mostly, in the single man owned corporate, the employees exhibit such stereotyped pattern of laziness or level of inefficiency or praising the entrepreneur tendency (sycophancy). Survival in such corporate demand and compel the employees to be like ‘Roman in Rome’.
In a corporate where everyone when praise the boss or the owner of the corporate so loudly and lavishly, no single employee can afford stay away from the crowd. If one is away from the crowd means, he or she can be easily hunted by the predators like the fate of an isolated animal from the heard in the jungle.
This is the reason why, differentiated thinking or idea generation are not happing in most corporate. The HR function needs to understand this subtle aspect of people management. They should search for dissimilarity and people who does not carry the ‘indicator’ behaviour of the corporate. To know about the indicator behaviour, the HR must source their wisdom from entomology and ant behaviour.
Some corporate even practice wearing of uniform at least one day a week to make the people to connect with each other as they are from the same colony. At subconscious level, are they not trying to make the people to be like ‘ants of the same colony’? When people become like ‘ants of the same colony’ how they can be different either at the thinking, reasoning, articulating or working level. The corporate leaders must introspect and find an answer.
Dr S Ranganathan, ClinRise Derma Pvt., Ltd., Chennai
Learn more the following management books
- Jungle wisdom from corporate management – lessons from the university of nature – by Swami Sukhabodhananda and Dr S Ranganathan
- Nature – The Entrepreneur - by Dr S Ranganathan
- Author Articles
- More From This AuthorA very interesting question was asked to me as how to keep the corporate ecosystem free from predators and preys. When I highlight the existence of such possibilities in most corporate in most of my...If you are innovative and creative in life, your creative energy/approach will help you to find solution than problems. This is the message the ‘long tongue’ of the giraffe conveys to the corporate...True achievers and those who aspire to achieve never wish to look different, unique or distinguishable from others in the corporate. This is what is seen in nature or nature has to share with us. The...One needs to ask; how often the street cats are chased by street dogs or they fight with each other. It is often said that why people in corporate fight like dog and cat. Do they really fight - the cats...Always expectation comes with recognition. If this cardinal management message is not understood by people in the corporate, they bound to make their life miserable and sorrowful. Recognition to some...
- Related Articles
- Related ArticlesHair is typical in creatures on this earth, and pretty much all family pets bridegroom themselves and their locks as a part of cleanliness. But it is only Men and women, who pay far more awareness to...Lucknow, September 30, 2013: Sahara Welfare Foundation has been awarded the “Corporate Foundation with Best Corporate Social Responsibility Practices” in a glittering Asian Leadership Awards...Promotional gifts are commonly used by companies to enhance their relationship with clients, especially when Christmas season is coming. Since the gift-giving season is fast approaching, I will give...When it comes to the construction industry, one of the most useful and essential tools would be drill machines. Another term for drilling machines are actually drill presses, simply because of its body...Marine Engines used to power watercraft like boats and yachts, and they are very much different from vehicle engines on land. A marine engine exclusively works on water vehicles only. Two Types of Marine...
- Latest Articles
- Latest ArticlesPelvic warts are by far the most common type of partner-transmitted disease, affecting men and women alike. This widespread disease is caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV – an...In applications where sealings of chemically aggressive fluids at elevated temperatures are required, the use of fluorocarbon elastomers FKM is uniquely suited. The high performance physical and chemical...The selection of the correct grade of material as well as the right design for o-rings and gaskets is of vital importance to the sealing intergrity of the final product. Rubber sealing technology primarily...Jogging and running, whether for exercise or competition, constitute one of the most efficient ways to get in shape, trim off extra weight, and build endurance. There is no question that there are multiple...Over the last several years, more and more men have been jumping on the bandwagon when it comes to trimming the jungle below the belt. This phenomenon may have been inspired in part by the adult film industry,...
