Poetic Leadership:
Amin and his colleagues
By Fahim Firfiray
Muscat, Oman, September, 2017
From the supervisory skills series of 6 poems
The plan is to add further commentary and publish these in book form or as podcasts. Here is a small taster:
Amin
Letting staff know the importance of their of their role
I am Amin, I hate going to work,
My job is driving me slowly bezerk
I am totally demoralised, and completely depressed,
Sad and lonely, thoroughly stressed
I feel invisible, unheard and unseen,
A tiny cog, in a giant machine
I have so much on my plate, and do not have a clue
Why they give me, the things that they do
I am seething with anger, and frustration
I am given tasks, without explanation
After trying so hard, I am now at a loss
I ask the same question, everyday to my boss…..
“Please explain my purpose, would you be so kind”
But he simply shouts back, “Never you mind….”
“…you are just one, of two hundred faces
I’ll tell you things, on a ‘need-to-know’ basis”
Mamoon
Leading by example
My name is Mamoon, Amin is my brother
The boss says one thing, then does the other
“Be lively!” he says, “Have a good laugh”
Yet he’s always miserable, and hard with his staff
He says that time wasters, are a great menace
Then takes the day off, and goes and plays tennis
He gives us long lectures, and serious speeches
But himself never practices, whatever he preaches
He travels first class, whenever he flies
And tells everyone else, to economise
He demands that we all, be sharp in at seven
Then strolls in himself, after eleven
For him there is only, ONE WORD THAT WILL FIT
Starts with HYPO, and ends with CRITE
Moatasim
The importance of giving feedback
I am Moatasim, upset and confused
I feel exploited, and very abused
I can’t stand our boss, he just doesn’t care
About anything I do, so long as I’m there
He never makes comments, about my work
And if I should ask, I feel like a jerk
Was my work okay, done to the right spec?
I really don’t know, he can’t be bothered to check
I have to say, without seeming mean
I feel my work is unwanted, and completely unseen
Would I be missed, if I were to go?
How precious is my job? I really don’t know
If I got recognition, I would go the whole mile
But right now, I’m not sure, if my job is worthwhile
Amar
Recognising people's talents
My name is Amar, I should be soaring
But I’m stuck in a role, that is totally boring
I have qualifications, up to my ears
But the job that I do, drives me to tears
I have a sparkling CV, that you could praise to the hills
But the tasks I am given, use none of those skills
My boss is the one, who stands accused
None of my talents, are being used
I work hard and never whinge or whine
But that very same work won’t let me shine
The tasks that he gives me, are by no means a test,
They never allow me to give of my best
Ta'baan = Tired in Arabic
Shukraan = Thank you
Akbar
The importance of thanks, recognition, appreciation and praise
My name is Akbar, I am really Ta’baan
My boss never bothers, to say ‘shukraan’
Even if I were to climb in the ranks
I still would not get, one word of thanks
Never “Akbar, you’re doing well, you are on track”
no recognition, no pat on the back
All targets are met, all records are broken
But still never ever, has a kind word been spoken
My achievements are many, failures are few
But nobody ever appreciates what I do
Anthony
The importance of being caring and empathetic
My name is Anthony, I am tired and alone
Stressed at work, distressed at home
So many events in my personal life
Me and my children take care of my wife
She is ill and needs our attention
A pain which at work does not get a mention
My boss doesn’t notice, he doesn’t ask
I struggle quietly through each little task
It’s really quite hard to balance things right
I worry so much, I cannot sleep at night
And during the day, I feel irritation
It affects my performance and concentration
I have worries and troubles, so much to share
Concerns and confusions, but my boss doesn’t care