--Originally published at TI2011 – Miguel’s Blog
When chapter 6 starts, Tompkins has to decide how he will organize the teams and managers for the 6 projects he has to do. To prepare for that, he reads a book on structural cybernetic management. When you hear those words, you may think that it has to do with some type of futuristic management since it has the word cybernetic. However, cybernetic comes from the Greek word “kybernetes”, which means “helmsman”. This word was used to describe the captain of a ship, so that’s how it’s connected with management.
Mr. T realized he needed a consultant to help him with his work. His assistant suggests asking the person that was supposed to have the job that Mr. T has now. Webster asks Lahksa about this person and it turns out she’s a woman. Webster assumed it was a guy. This goes to show some of the stereotypes that exist. Thankfully, this isn’t the case nowadays. The percentage of women in management positions is growing.
When he finds this woman, named Belinda Binda, it turns out she’s a bag lady. However, as the conversation between the two progresses, it’s evident that Belinda hasn’t forgotten what makes a good manager. She says that management is about three main things: your gut which is used to make decisions, your heart which people respond to, and your soul which allows team members to have close, warm interconnections. Webster originally thought that management had to do with your brain, but Belinda showed that there’s much more to it than that. And finally, she agrees to work with Mr. T, but he has to give her a shopping car somehow and there are no supermarkets in Morovia.
Chapter 7 starts off strong. Belinda just throws all the resumes into the trash. Since everyone
