While in London I had the pleasure of working with Peter Hawkins of Bath Consultancy Group as he was launching his latest book, The Wise Fool's Guide To Leadership,in which tales of Nasrudin play a central part. Nasrudin is the archetypal wise fool who educates and illuminates through surprise, humor, and truth. Peter brings Nasrudin into the 21st century in the guise of a management consultant. Looking toward a second volume of tales, Peter invites readers to submit their own "Nasrudin" stories The following is my entry based on my encounter with Nasrudin.
Nasrudin was having a difficult time in his career as a management consultant; it seems that few potential clients appreciated his non-traditional approach. His current employment was as a cleanup man at a conference center where more successful management consultants plied their trade.
"You there!" a famous guest speaker shouted at Nasrudin who then was clearing away coffee cups. "Get me the AV man; my power point slides are not showing up well on the screen."
"Right away," said Nasrudin as he continued clearing away cups.
"I need him right now!" demanded the famous speaker.
"Yes, sir," said Nasrudin going on with his cleanup chores."
The famous speaker by now was furious. "I demand to see the AV man. NOW! Do your understand?"
"I understand, sir," said Nasrudin picking up napkins, cups,bottles and other debris from the plush carpet.
"Are you stupid?" shouted the speaker in exasperation.
"Probably," said Nasrudin while straightening rows of chairs..
"I need help," cried the famous man now desperate.
"Aha!" said Nasrudin, "So that's what this fuss is all about." He set aside his trash bag, nudged the famous speaker aside, studied his computer, made a few simple adjustments. "That should do it," he said as he went on about cleaning and straightening the room, while leaving the famous speaker scratching his head.
Comments