1. Why the young Komodo dragons live an arboreal life for some years as soon as they
hatched out from eggs? Komodo dragons are indeed terrestrial animals, prevalent
in some islands in Indonesia like Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Padar etc.
The choice of young Komodo dragons that prefer to live on tree top (arboreal)
during their early phase of life has an important management message/approach
for the modern corporate to learn.
The habitat where the Komodo dragons live, many other animals dare to visit or
enter. These animals are one of the top predators and even a well grown buffalo or
deer are known to have been preyed by this giant reptile. Like biologist searching
the answer to the above question, the corporate and its HR function also must know
the reason for the above.
The reason for the above is very interesting. First enemy of the young Komodo
dragons are none other than the adult Komodo dragons. The adult animals will kill
the young animals and eat. The young animals do not have any protection from
within their group. Hence they do so for their own survival. The young ones
therefore climb onto to the canopy of tall trees and live over there safely for a few
years. The big animals cannot climb the trees due to their massive body weight.
Many subordinates in the corporate do behave like young Komodo dragons. They
find the people within the group to be unsafe. They prefer to remain hidden and
unseen or away from people especially their boss. Strangely some bosses also may
exhibit the ‘young Komodo dragon behaviour’.
Their belief can be either perception centric or can be real. But whatever be the
reason, the corporate and its HR function must address the ‘young Komodo dragon’
behaviour of people in the corporate. There is a sense of uncertainty or fear in the
mind of some people only contributes to the existence of such strange behaviour.
Sometime their fear may have substance as the corporate may be contributing the
same.
Many corporate bosses are known to push or drive their subordinates to prefer an
arboreal mode of life. Only when their subordinates are pushed away from them,
the mischief, stupidity and ignorance of the bosses remain safe and unseen by the
subordinates.
Interestingly some of these subordinates mix well with the bosses of other
functions. The most complex and intricate boss-subordinate equilibrium that exist
in most corporate is what the arboreal life of the young Komodo dragons conveys.
Only when the corporate leaders compare and contemplate what exists in nature
with their corporate, true learning and correction is possible.
Dr S Ranganathan, ClinRise Derma Pvt., Ltd., Chennai
Learn more from the following management books

2. 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