Aesop in a Monkey Suit: Fifty Fables of the Corporate Jungle

By David Lignell

The modern corporation, with its procession of office cubicles pulsating with purpose, is a labyrinth of human behavior. But not all human behavior is productive. Rat studies* conducted in similar environments have resulted in aggression, drug use, and cannibalism. Of course, highly educated and professional people are not rats at least not in the biological sense. Still, these findings support the metaphor of the "rat race," one that captures not only the pursuit of profit but also the cannibalization of the human spirit.

So how does one keep whole in such a setting? Through work tales passed down from those who have already been there. Aesop's Fables have provided guidance for generations, and now they have been updated for practical business application. Fifty favorites have been adapted to reflect today's world of work. The farmers, animals, and insects entwined in the short morality plays of old have been replaced by managers, workers, and consultants. The great truths are still there, but they appear in a modern context sure to prompt nods of shared understanding.

Enjoy the tales of the master, slightly tweaked and twisted to reflect the ennui of a modern age. A fun read for anyone who hopes to survive and stay whole in the corporate jungle.

* Calhoun, John B. Not by Bread Alone: Overcrowding in Mice. Man and the Environment. Dubuque, Iowa: William C. Brown Company Publishers, 1971.

Miczek, K. A., N. Hubbard, and I. Cantuti-Casteivetri. "Increased Cocaine Self-Administration after Social Stress." Neuroscience Abstracts 1:1954 (Abstract Number 766.9), 1995.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jul 2, 2006
• ISBN: 9780595838912

David Lignell

David Lignell holds a masters degree in industrial psychology and works in human resources for a Fortune 500 company. When he escapes from his day job, he is a member of Pam Casto's Flash-Fiction Workshop listserv, where he's met many talented writers. David lives with his wife, Colleen, and their family in Lawrence, Kansas.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The Analyst and the Intern

(Adapted from The Ant and the Chrysalis)

An analyst, walking into the break room to refill his coffee cup, came across an intern who was very near the end of his assignment. The intern was filling a coffee carafe for a meeting and thus attracted the attention of the analyst, who never missed an opportunity to bring a fellow worker down.

Poor sucker! said the analyst. While I fill my own coffee, you have to fill the cups of others. And while I can take breaks throughout the day, you’re doomed to the demands of others.

The intern heard all of this and walked out of the break room without saying a word. A few days later, when the analyst stopped by the intern’s work cube to taunt him, he saw that it was empty. Wondering what had become of the poor sap, he felt himself suddenly prodded from behind. Turning around he saw the intern dressed in an expensive suit with shoes buffed to a shine.

Look at me, said the intern, your much-pitied friend. Brag now about your coffee break times, but please remove your coffee cups from my cube. So saying, the former intern and now replacement analyst walked to his new work area.

Appearances are deceptive.

CHAPTER 2

The Analyst and the Specialist

(Adapted from The Ant and the Dove)

An analyst came to a cross-functional meeting with outdated project data. Quickly drowning in a sea of questions, the analyst was in danger of losing his credibility in front of his peers. A specialist, observing the potential debacle, explained that as a team, it was everyone’s responsibility to keep the project data up to date. As the meeting continued, however, the specialist soon was under attack for missing an important deadline. The analyst jumped into explain that according to the project report, which everyone knew was outdated, the specialist was actually ahead of the deadline, which had changed without the report being