Ms. Sonal Bhakta
FYMCA, Student

As children we all have enjoyed “Akbar and Birbal” stories, where Birbal defeated his challengers with little effort. There are several short stories which have been held our attention and have provided a deep insight into human behavior. Drawing these insights from these stories, I have presented such a story to help you understand how these insights can be used to succeed in today's corporate structure.

Problem:
At one night, Emperor Akbar dreamt that he had lost all his teeth, except one. So in the morning of the next day, he invited all the astrologers of his kingdom and asked them to interpret the meaning of this dream.
After a long discussion, the astrologers forecasted that all the relatives of Emperor Akbar would die before him.
Akbar was very disappointed by this interpretation of his dream and sent away all the astrologers without any reward. Latter that day, Birbal entered the court. Akbar told his dream to Birbal and asked him to interpret that dream.

Birbal's Solution:
After thinking for a moment, Birbal answered that the interpretation of that dream was that Emperor Akbar would live a longer life and he would live more satisfied life than any of his relatives.
Akbar was delighted with Birbal’s justification and rewarded him considerably.

Management Moral:
There are more than one ways of expressing truth. The worst limitations of your subordinates can be discussed with them without hurting or touching a raw nerve.
If sometimes it becomes necessary to resort to a bitter pill in the course of your duty as a manager, there is always the option of using a sugar coating to soften the harshness and it can turn out to be advisable!
What Birbal has done is known as reframing. You form a judgment about certain situation depending on the context in which you see it. You may see yourself as unfairly treated if you are ignored for a promotion. But if you see your trouble in the context of those who don't even have a job, though they are qualified, you will see yourself as lucky as and more fairly treated by destiny than all these less fortunate people. It is just like a matter of seeing a glass as half full of water or half empty. The facts are the same. Your perception or interpretation can vary.

Source:
Solve Your problems - The Birbal Way by Luis S R Vas and Anita S R Vas