Olympic Athletes Are Role Models for Intercultural
and Interpersonal Harmony. New Business Parable
Adapts Olympic Themes for Workplace Achievement.
Americans take pride in the accomplishments of Jeremy Wariner who ran a personal best to win the 400-meter relay to Carly Patterson who captured Gold for all around gymnastics. Their excellence as well as the achievements of other Olympic athletes who may or may not bring home medals attests to the American spirit and drive. These athletes subscribe to the Olympic Creed established in 1894 by Pierre De Coubertin who declared, " the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well."
The American workplace can learn a lot from our Olympic heroes about mentoring and sportsmanship, focus and attitude, teamwork and preparation. "Louder Than Thunder: A Contemporary Business Parable," which has a September 1 publication date, deals with these issues by demonstrating how their application at work can create a happier, more productive environment. In "Louder Than Thunder" the Olympic athletes are replaced by three potential candidates who are not competing on the balance beam for a medal but in the workplace for the top job at a major corporation.
The reader sees these candidates at their worst and their best. The behavior of one is exemplary while the other two behave more like Maurice Green and his 400-meter relay team at the Sydney Olympics.
"Louder Than Thunder" is about a CEO, who tests potential candidates by telling them that she is about to retire and that one of them will succeed her. She poses a riddle and tells them that whoever comes back with the best answer will be the next CEO. The riddle is: "What is louder than thunder, as highly charged as lightning, and more powerful than the fierce North Wind?"
Much like the Olympics, the action takes place over the course of a short period of time-a week. The competitiors visit different plants and departments and consult with those around them in an effort to find an answer that will ensure victory. There are a series of vignettes that demonstrate all the things they do to try to win. In the process, "Louder Than Thunder" shares lessons on how to succeed in the workplace.
Carol Dunitz, Ph.D. is the author of "Louder Than Thunder." Dunitz is a speaker, writer, producer and consultant who is the principal of The Last Word, a communication and creative services business in Ann Arbor , Michigan . The book is illustrated by award-winning artist Helen Gotlib.
Canterbury & Parkside has published the book. It can be purchased at www.louderthanthunder.com between now and the September 1 st publication date with no shipping and handling fees. Books will also be available through bookstores and Amazon.com.