Know more about corporate stability from nature

Why most people in corporate always look for the state of ‘permanency’? Is it bad or good to have a state of permanency? Always people look for some level of permanency or static state because they strongly believe that the state of stability/permanency only offers security.

The people in corporate either resorts to work with commitment or engaged in nefarious activities like sycophancy or praising the boss or smartly pull the rug from under the feet of others etc., are only to ensure security and permanent position for them. According to most people, permanent position or secured position means, they are very much needed by the corporate. Only when they are needed, they believe that they have value and security. In order to prove that they are valuable, people resorts either good and or dirty acts.

But the nature has different definition for the state of permanency. Nature too believes in the ‘philosophy and science’ of safety and stability only can offer ‘state of security and permanency’.

Look at the cells and tissue systems of plants. All of us know that when a plant is cut, it grows back. How many ever times we cut, that many times, the plants generally grow new branches and leaves. This is due to the action of certain group of cells called meristamatic cells. These cells have the capability to divide continuously and then differentiate into other type of cells.

The interesting point is that once the meristamatic cells are divided and new cells are formed, these new cells will not remain as meristamatic cells, they become permanent cells. They become permanent cells only to perform a specific role/function for the plant.

For specific role of revival and rejuvenation, the meristamatic cells are needed. If the meristamatic cells after division also remain as meristamatic, the purpose of revival and rejuvenation is lost. Hence, the newly formed cells instead of being as ‘meristamatic cells’ converts as ‘permanent cells’.

In nature, the state of permanency is always linked with a specific function/role/niche. Nature doesn’t offer permanent position or status to anything, even to a cell unless and until there is specific role. Stability, security and permanency are given only to the role or function and not the person. As long as the function is performed well or as long as the specific function needs to be executed, the state of permanency is assured.

The state of permanency is more for the role or function and not for the person.

The corporate must follow the above principle. They should not get lost in the debate or discourse of ‘permanent’ versus ‘temporary’ states and how it is linked to security. Only the role and its importance should be valued.

The meristamatic cells remain ‘permanent’ until there is an injury or cut in the plant. During division, they lose their permanency only to become permanent.

Reflect the sublime management insight of nature and manage your task and conflicts.

Dr S Ranganathan