The game of Tuna over Dolphin – HR message

Smaller things will not get noticed so easily. This fundamental management principle is well known to many animals in nature. Perhaps only by following the above fact, most animals would have evolved in nature. If we view the attitude of many people in the corporate those who are seriously engaged in praising and pleasing their bosses publicly are applying only the above management principle i.e., ‘small never get noticed when it is with the big’.

The relationship between the species of two fishes such as ‘Tunas and the Dolphins’ is perfect example of how the former fish has understood the insight correctly. ‘Tunas’ are one of the most preferred edible fishes in the world. Fishing of tunas is so rampant and hence some species of ‘tunas’ have already reached the brink of extinction.

While some species of tunas are relatively safe may be because they are extremely smart. They live along with Dolphins or together with them. When ‘Tunas are with Dolphins’, the Shark and other predatory animals of ‘tunas’ seldom see them from a distance as Dolphins are much bigger than them to catch the attention. Further, some smaller predators wisely avoid the ‘jurisdiction of Dolphins’ as they may get preyed by ‘Dolphins’.

Tunas ensure its safety and security by being in the company of Dolphins as it will not be easily seen by its predators from a distance. Even if they are seen, may not dare to come near to them so easily where the Dolphins rule the roost.

Many corporate employees praise and please their bosses so lavishly before the top management are doing so only with the above intent. By doing so, they achieve some immunity for themselves in the corporate. When they move along with their bosses, the bosses automatically have to assume greater responsibility in explaining or defending the situation/questions. The subordinates can praise their boss and can easily escape.

Perhaps tunas also would have sensed the possibility of Dolphins getting listed in the ‘red data book’ of IUCN one day and the legal protection to Dolphins from hunting by humans.

When Tunas move along the side of Dolphins, catching Tuna selectively become difficult as any effort or attempt to catch tuna will cause harm to some Dolphins also. Many countries have declared that while selling tunas in canes, it must be explicitly stated on the label that ‘Dolphin Safe Tunas’.

Learn the intelligence and the management approaches of the animals in nature especially of the fish ‘Tuna’. If the corporate leaders learn about the fish Tuna, will know why the corporate is filled with several species of Tunas.

Although some species of ‘Tunas’ are endangered in nature, but the ‘Tunas’ in corporate will never go endangered.

Like how tunas are liked by people to eat, tunas in the corporate are also liked in the corporate as they always praise their bosses and hence most bosses like them. Who will not get bowled so easily to flattery?

Whether the Dolphins in the corporate knows about the corporate tunas or not, but the HR function must know them well. Only then they can inculcate the culture of ‘straightforwardness’ and ‘transparency’ in the organization, and the ‘tuna phenomena’ can be avoided.

Dr S Ranganathan