The workplace fable of The Energetic Boss

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Credit:  © Sergey Nivens / Alamy Stock Photo

Mark Price shares his workplace fables - true stories from the business front line that can teach us lessons about career success

When the new boss arrived he was brimming with ideas. New products, more innovation, better prices, greater service, more outlets, better training and so on and so forth. It was like watching a three-ring circus as all areas of  the business worked  hard, improved, caught up and then overtook the competition.

“Will he never stop!” exclaimed the team as new idea followed new idea. Many yearned for a rest but enjoyed the fruits of their success, and the encouragement to try new things.

When the energetic boss left everyone was relieved when the new leader called for a period of ‘consolidation’. A time to improve what had been done, to draw breath, to reflect. The pace lessened but so did progress. The competition pushed forward and went from followers to leaders once more.

 

Moral of the tale: 

Running a business is like travelling up a down escalator. Run and you make progress, walk and you stay the same, stand still and you go backwards

 

Workplace Fables: 147 True Life Stories, by Mark Price, is published by Stour Publishing. To order your copy for £8.99 plus p&p, call 0844 871 1514 or visit books.telegraph.co.uk

Share your Workplace Fables and learn more about Mark’s mission to improve workplace happiness at engaging.works/me/ideas