I recently read this little story from Mark Hurst's goodexperience.com and thought to myself "WOW that sounds vaguely familiar!"
Amazing how some things never change no matter how far companies and society believe they have advanced!
The king's questions
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There once was a king who wanted to strengthen his castle, improve the morale of his subjects, increase the crop harvest, and generally strengthen his kingdom. He called in his trusted advisors, all the wise men and magicians in the court, and asked them, "What should I do to make the kingdom stronger?"
One advisor said, "Dress yourself in jeweled robes and address the peasants from your balcony. When your subjects see how regal you look, and hear you say that the kingdom is strong, they will act accordingly."
Another wise man had just returned from a long journey, learning about the ways of many faraway kingdoms. "Build a cathedral," he told the king. "Strong kingdoms all have a beautiful, towering structure at the top of the palace hill. Build a cathedral with the highest spire and everyone will know that you, king, are strong."
A third advisor said, "Ask your subjects. *They* will tell you how to improve the kingdom."
After considering the wise men's words, the king went to work. First he ordered the design of the finest possible robes, inlaid with the most expensive gems; then he met with the royal architects to begin planning the tallest cathedral in the whole region. Soon after, he began writing the royal decree that he would read to his subjects about all the improvements underway.
It was around this time that the king remembered the words of the third advisor: "Ask your subjects." A reasonable request, the king thought, especially since the subjects were helping to pay for the cathedral. "I'll prove what a good and generous king I am," the king thought. "I will ask the subjects their opinion."
Within a few months the plans were well underway. The royal robes were already draped over the king's shoulders; the decree was written on the finest parchment; and the skeleton of what was to become the cathedral was already taking shape on the palace hill. It was during this time that, one day, the king asked his guards to bring a handful of peasants into the royal hall.
When the peasants were assembled before his throne, the king spoke.
"Very soon I will address all of my subjects about many things I am doing to improve our kingdom. Today, being a good and generous king, I will ask you, my chosen few subjects, to give me your opinions."
None of the peasants spoke.
The king said, "I ask all of you, what do you think of my new royal robes? The finest materials, the most precious gems. Do they fill you with awe? Do you find my raiment wonderful? If so, you may bow to me." The peasants bowed.
The king continued, in the same way, asking the peasants their opinion on the the cathedral, the decree, and other matters in the kingdom. The peasants said nothing but continued to bow.
After he finished and the peasants returned to their villages, the king summoned the third advisor. "Thank you, wise man," said the king. "I have asked my subjects, just as you advised, and they are in accord with everything that I have planned. I am truly a good and generous king."
The advisor said nothing but only bowed, turned, and left the castle.
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