Bat is poor or flying squirrel is poor... a corporate management message

Bats are the only mammal that can fly in the sky. The other mammal like flying squirrels indeed can move aeronautically by way of gliding from one object to other and the gliding movement of the flying squirrel is definitely different from the flying of bats and birds.

The gliding adaptation of some species of squirrels has come as an additional advantage or ability to these animals to become successful. Whereas, in the case of bats the flying ability/adaptation is in fact, born out of a 'definite weakness' i.e. the weak or poorly developed leg bones. Only to compensate a definite weakness, the bats have got wings to fly.

The leg bones of bats are weak and hence they cannot walk. When an animal does not have the ability to walk, run and move, its survival becomes difficult. To enable these animals to become successful and to beat the limitation of their weak leg bones, nature has offered wings to the bats to fly.

Look at the paradox or contradiction of nature. In the case flying squirrels, an additional ability has been given whereas for bats, the ability is only to compensate an 'inborn defect/weakness'.

Why such partiality or a special favour, the nature has shown to its own creation? The corporate employees have an important management to learn from the above. Additional advantages always will have definite limitation.

No flying squirrel can easily find their life just because of their gliding ability. It helps them at times to protect it from the predators etc. If one develops some ability or capability to compensate an 'inborn defect', such abilities alone will definitely ensure complete and total success.

The corporate leaders must understand the fact that it is not just providing some additional facilities/freedom will enable the employees to become super performers. Many corporate bosses do often say that they have provided many additional facilities and freedoms to their subordinates to enhance their performances. But unfortunately, the subordinates are not showing any improvement in their performance.

Additional advantages will not help anyone greatly. Understand the innate/genuine weaknesses of the employees and learn how you can compensate such weaknesses completely and totally. Only such an approach or leadership style would give success.

Bats and flying squirrels represent two important management leadership styles of the nature. Both are inevitably essential viz., one to learn and understand and the other to implement and practice.

Never confuse between providing additional facilities or advantages and providing 'ways and means' to surpass the innate inabilities. Both are inevitable but are not the same.

Dr S Ranganathan, ClinRise Derma Pvt., Ltd., Chennai

Learn more from the following management books
1. Jungle wisdom for corporate management – lessons from the university of nature by Swami Sukhabodhananda and Dr S Ranganathan

2. Nature – The Entrepreneur by Dr S Ranganathan