Historical Fiction: Interpretation of Myth of Prometheus in Regard to Leadership Theory - Essay Example

This paper presents a modern view on myth about Prometheus. An interest to this myth and its interpretation in the paradigm of consideration of leadership qualities of Prometheus can be explained by a current relevance of leadership in management and business. Myth’s interpretation is presented with regard to modern times. The action happens in New York City. The interpretation figuratively presents Prometheus humanistic attitude to people by his desire to become a wise leader and a friendly mentor. In Greek myth Prometheus gave fire to men and went against Gods. In this interpretation Prometheus fights against bureaucracy and protects human rights for freedom of creativity. Myth of Prometheus: a brief description A legendary myth about Prometheus evokes the deepest feelings of modern readers. Its popularity can be explained by a fascinating plot, dynamics of events and deep ideas rooted inside the myth. Prometheus is a well-known Titan. A classical Greek myth about this outstanding character discusses the life and struggle for freedom of humanity by this man with “foresight” (his name is translated in such a way). Prometheus’ father initiated the revolt against Gods together with his two children. Prometheus and Epimetheus (his brother) didn’t support their family and sided with the Gods. Further events of the myth describe Prometheus and Epimetheus journey to the Greek province of Boitia. There two brothers made clay figures, Athena brought these two figures to life. Prometheus creation turned into Man and his brother’s creation turned into the Beast. Zeus was hostile toward brothers’ attempts to create men and animals. Nevertheless Athena helped Prometheus to teach men civilization. Zeus forbade giving fire to men and forbade Prometheus to enter Olympus. A strong desire of Prometheus to help all men and endow them with all benefits of progress made it possible to enter Olympus. Prometheus lit a torch from the fires on the Sun and brought that torch to men. He brought coals to the men. Zeus was angry and told Pandora to give a ‘present’ to Prometheus,–a box containing all the evils and troubles of the world. Thanks to his foresight, Prometheus didn’t open that box. Instead, he gave it to his brother to open and all the horrors of the world were scattered in the world. Zeus was indignant, because his direct gift was refused. Zeus made Prometheus to be chained to a rock in the Caucasus Mountains and tortured. Every day Eagle was ordered to come and eat the liver of Prometheus eternally... Prometheus mother having answered to the petition of Zeus to foresee his death and has influenced on torture and it was changed. Prometheus was free but he would bear a link of the chain and a large stone eternally. Men had a great respect towards Prometheus and thus they would also carry rings with stones to support their savior. Myth interpretation My dear readers, I’d like to tell you my life story. I’m an ordinary man. I have a family. If to be more exact, I have four brothers, a mother and a father. Our life in New York is not outstanding or unique. This fact is the most depressing for me, actually…My father used to resist oppression during all his life. He could never put up with bureaucracy, bribery or other socially existent vices. He used to teach me and my brothers to fight for our rights and resist oppression. Two of my brothers used to follow his ideas and supported him in his unequal struggle with all-mighty of the world. Epimetheus, my brother, who joined my opinion and lived his life in accordance with generally accepted and centennially established rules, had different desires in spite of me. My main aspiration and goal was to become a leader. I was dreaming about proper-considered, humanistic leadership. I wanted to guide people, to be their mentor and teacher, to be their friend and companion. So, as it is known, if you want to change the world, start from yourself. I started my way of changes after I graduated from NYU. I started to look for a job and finally I was hired by Zeus Inc. In spite of my father’s warnings, my place of work was democratic only nominally. In the very essence, the laws of bureaucracy were deeply rooted in that Company. I worked as an association executive there. My job was very hard, because I had to meet current requirements of consumers and work in compliance with the laws of the company. Generally speaking, I had to serve my company and fulfill today’s demands and take care of tomorrow needs. Fortunately, my name, Prometheus, can be translated as ‘a man, who foresees’. Thus it may seem that I had perfectly deal with my job. Unfortunately, I felt someone’s breathe behind me and my actions or innovations were strictly criticized by a strong bureaucratic machine of the Company. My Boss, Mr. Zeus had always warned me: “Prometheus, my boy, take care not about your ideas or desires, but follow my instructions and you will have no mistakes! Why do you need to invent something new if many years our company works in accordance with a certain template? Just listen to the results of the surveys, refer to them and work out your ‘unique’ ideas in accordance with the demands of our customers”, – these words are still echoed in my ears…If I had listened to my Boss, I wouldn’t be the one who I am now…But, let us consider my ‘adventures’ step by step. I felt a strong desire inside me to resist these ‘orders’ and wanted to establish just and fair leadership in the company. My two main points of the strategy were: push-management and pull-management. In order to make my job more efficient, I wanted to have a perfect reputation in the company though I didn’t want to take the line of the least resistance and become another Mr. Zeus. First of all, I directed all my efforts to efficient completion of all tasks I was assigned. I properly considered the results of all surveys in order to create a program in accordance with customers’ needs. Customers were my ‘pushers’. On the other hand, I perfectly realized that today’s needs of customers can turn into something else tomorrow. I worked at scenarios, visionary presentations in order to persuade the customers that their needs will be met in the future too. I ‘pulled’ my customers to buy the products of my company. My main goal was to deliver the best services to the customers, because their interest in our production is the highest value. Having worked as an association executive, I clearly realized that the responsibility for the success of the company and a high level of satisfaction of the customers depend on every employee. In order to overcome difficulties of bureaucracy, I wanted to unite other employees and prove to them that the real vale of their job is a freedom of thinking and new ideas’ creation. I was lucky, and Mr. Zeus sent some employees, including me, to Greece. There we had to take part in the conference on problems of modern marketing. It was my great chance! I invented a scenario of my actions during the conference. I knew that my brother had to be there too. As I have mentioned above, he didn’t fight against bureaucracy, like my father did. He worked as HR manager and I met him on that conference too. Epimetheus, unlike me, was a leader in his company and had a lot of subordinates. Yes, we worked in the system of bureaucracy, we didn’t fight against it. But his present subordinates were nothing for him; my potential subordinates were everything for me. In such a way, I tried to persuade my brother that human resources of the company are the most valuable resources. They should feel free and express their thoughts with no fear. After our heated argument, Epimetheus told me: “Prometheus, don’t you think that your democratic leadership will turn your potential subordinates into your enemies and competitors? People are nothing more than animals: a good leader should direct his ‘herd’ in any direction he likes, with no arguments expressed by the subordinates. A good leadership is an unquestionable leadership.” I was indignant by the words of my brother and told him: “Not instructions, but advices; not intrusion of your ideas, but development of your ideas in unison with your subordinates means a great and effective leadership.” That day my arguments seemed funny to him. Our heated argument was witnessed by other employees from my company. My ideas were supported by them. Then a girl from my company, Athena, approached to me and said: “Prometheus, you know, your ideas to serve people are valuable and humanistic. I talked to other employees and they don’t want to be oppressed by Mr. Zeus anymore. Let’s make a revolt, let us fight for our rights, to reveal our creative potentials, to make the Company prosper.” Of course, I was pleased with such kind of trust and support expressed by Athena. On the day of our arrival, I walked into the office of Mr. Zeus. Mr. Zeus: Prometheus, my boy, how was you trip? Prometheus: Mr. Zeus, this conference helped me to complement not only my knowledge, but also it initiated my personal metamorphosis from subordinate into the leader. Mr. Zeus: What are you talking about, ha? Then all employees of my department one by one entered his office with applications on voluntary termination of their employment contracts. Athena: Mr Zeus, we believe in Prometheus and his power as a great and mighty leader. We don’t want to be oppressed anymore. We are sick and tired of your bureaucratic instructions and strict orders. … Mr. Zeus: Well, my dear….I didn’t expect that. Ok, I’ll leave if only you prove me that you are really a new team with an effective leader. Prometheus: That’s fair. So, let’s start to work at a new program that will be welcome by our customers and bring high profits to our company. The hardest task for me was not to let my future subordinates down. I suggested to them to think over a new program for our customers. I initiated online-surveys and wanted to compare the results of what was expected by the customers to the program we were working at. Furthermore I appealed to our partners and asked them about their support of the launch of our project and they agreed to help our company. The program was developed to control the largest companies and their practical decisions on environmental policy. Next to it, we launched a survey in the Internet which was based on people’s opinions on hazardous environment. In a month when all data were collected, in my speech to other employees and Mr. Zeus I proved the efficiency of this program. I made an emphasis on consumers’ benefits from this program. Instantaneous checks of online surveys would result in effective prognostication of future environmental issues and hazards thus protecting human health. Fortunately, other employees worked effectively and their work was well-coordinated. I showed that my leadership qualities were beneficial for the company, employees and customers. My secret is to respect others. My humanistic approach to all employees and customers turned into large benefits to our Company and respectful attitude of my employees to me. Mr. Zeus gave in and I became the leader of the Company of democracy, not bureaucracy. Works cited 1. LaBranche, G. A. “The Prometheus Paradox.” Association Management. Nov 1991. 29 July 2010. AllBusiness.com. 2. Greek mythology. GreekMythology.com. 29 July 2010. Read More