CL: Laughing - How serious is that?

Just for a moment consider the possibility of an organization that punishes 'laughing' and 'smiling'.

You might think, 'This is ridiculous. Is that possible?'. 

But such was the 'law' in Ford Motor Company. At Ford's River Rouge plant, laughter was a disciplinary offence. Anyone caught humming, whistling or smiling were punished by instant sacking. Such acts were considered to be acts of insubordination.

Not long ago, in 1940, John Gallo was sacked because he was 'caught in the act of smiling' after having committed an earlier breach of 'laughing with the other fellows and slowing down the line by may be half a minute'.

This was the overall philosophy of the times which did not escape Henry Ford who said, 'When we are at work we ought to be at work. When we are at play we ought to be at play. There is no use trying to mix the two.'

Though it seems a bit weird in today's context I still find this attitude prevalent in the factories of today where the ingrained attitude rooted deep enough is 'NO PLAY; IF IT IS PLAY YOU AREN'T SERIOUS'.

It is such a deeply held belief that not long ago British Airways initiated a change management program that implored their flight attendants to 'simply smile'.

Having fun and joy in work is the new mantra of work today. May be modern organizations need more balance and integration of the Right and Left Brains for survival, growth and productivity enhancement! Having exhausted the old and tested methods of enhancing productivity we must realize the innate but hidden strengths that lie in the new ways to laugh at our own stupidity and our deeply held assumptions on everything only to find new ways of creating value for the society in the future. 

 

The Throne

The chief’s inspection was due next week. He is going to come from Jodhpur (Rajasthan) for the inspection. Rani Dhan Singh Bhatti looked with eagerness at the planner in front of him and started pondering. Sardarji, the Chief is going to inspect all the four units under his control which means he is going to stay at Barmer for all the four days.  How to make the chief comfortable? He should not be annoyed and avoid making any adverse comments in his inspection report. Rani Dhan Singh Bhatti conveyed the dates of inspection to all the officers-in-charge of the four units’ which are under his control.

Bhatti has grown up in these golden sand dunes of the Thar Desert. He was born in a Rajput Royal family at Jaisalmer. The things which he inherited from his forefathers were his huge, intricately carved “haveli” (ancestral house), some cultivable lands and a throne. He prides himself when villagers still hail him as the “Prince”.  Bhati still gets the agriculture produce from his village. The millet, corn, wheat and a substantial quantity of lentils supplements Bhati’s expenditure on his yearly food budget.

Bhatti took a calibrated step after he reached his office. He plans to organize a big party for the chief on his last day of the visit. The show must be of a very grand scale. The Sardarji should feel that Bhatti also holds on to his rich traditions of royal hospitality specially given to a guest of honour. Bhatti calls the police band, the folk singers and the best chefs in the town. He ordered plenty of scotch and invited all the top government officials in the town. He caparisoned the throne and placed it on the makeshift stage.

Bhatti was very pleased with the arrangements. The enchanting sound of “padharo mhare desh” (welcome to my country) reverberated through the huge hall. The Rajasthani folk singers were singing mystically and wore their traditional dress complementing the atmosphere of festivity. The top government officials came with their spouses in tow. Mrs. Bhatti wore the traditional “langa-choli” and was welcoming the females. The police band started to play a traditional British tune as soon Sardarji arrived. Bhatti rushed to receive him.  After all a lot depends on the inspection report.  Scotch flowed uninterrupted. Every one seems to be enjoying the grand party. It was truly in a royal style. The traditional Rajasthani mutton dish was the most sought after.

Sardarji was too pleased with the whole show. He showered praise on Bhatti as he addressed the guests. After the brief speech Sardarji headed for the throne to sit. Bhatti rushed towards Sardarji and said “It is the host who sits on the throne”.

 

Lessons Learned:

1. If one thinks 'red' is 'blue' then it is extremely difficult to change his/her idea. Evidences and Logic don't seem to work well.

2. Such mental models can't be changed by force. It might only be changed through one's internal refection of the reality and struggling to make sense of it.

3. Since traditions and emotional attachments are very difficult to be done away with all change methods must acknowledge and reflect the reality of such attachments and work with it.

 

 

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