1. 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

2. 6 – Shakespeare in Management

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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?

8. Exercise
(handout printed play synopsis)