A Multi-disciplinary Perspective on Decision-making and Creativity: Using the Diversity of Truth-seeking and Sense-making to Advantage in Organizational Contexts Wayne Smith, Ph.D. Department of Management CSU Northridge Updated: Thursday, January 17, 2019

6 – Shakespeare in Management

Person and Times Shakespeare (the Person) Shakespeare (the Times) We know almost nothing about him (and much of what we think we know is pure speculation) Born in Stratford, England Married to Anne Hathaway Lived in Stratford, then in London, and then back in Stratford Shakespeare (the Times) Deep in the Renaissance Rejection of myths; beginning of rejection of “divine right of kinds” We are the beginning of the “Enlightenment” Changing->Social, Economic, Political/Legal, Technological

Writing and Characters Shakespeare (the Writing) The prose is elegant Re-reading passages is a true benefit The speeches and soliloquies are magnificent Shakespeare (the Characters) The substance is often about leadership But every element of MGT 360 principles are in every play (especially culture, motivation, teams) Also, “fools and knaves” have substantive roles also Remember too that these are plays So dialogue and interaction (“discourse”) matters a great deal

Recurring themes (Meta-analysis) Agency Accountability, Responsibility Admirability, Blame Motivation Beliefs, Intentionality Unity …in time …in place

Recurring themes (Meta-analysis) Pattern and Practice Factuals vs. counter-factuals Patterns vs. anti-patterns Expectations vs. Reality Masterful Observation Spoken vs. not-spoken Done vs. not-done Rhythm of the Organization Character-driven plots vs Plot-driven characters

Recurring themes (Meta-analysis) Story vs. Plot A Story is a time sequence A Plot has cause-and-effects How can you tell the difference? Titles vs. Class Status A title is a proper name A class status is a state of nature Which one, say, causes the other?

Exercise (handout printed play synopsis)