A business fable (also termed business fiction or leadership fable) is a
motivational
Motivation is an internal state that propels individuals to engage in goal-directed behavior. It is often understood as a force that explains why people or animals initiate, continue, or terminate a certain behavior at a particular time. It ...
fable
Fable is a literary genre defined as a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse, that features animals, legendary creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that are anthropomorphized, and that illustrates or leads to a parti ...
,
parable
A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. It differs from a fable in that fables employ animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature as characters, whe ...
or other fictional story that shares a lesson or lessons that are intended to be applied in the business world with the aim to improve leadership skills, personal skills, or the
organizational culture
Organizational culture encompasses the shared norms, values, corporate language and behaviors - observed in schools, universities, not-for-profit groups, government agencies, and businesses - reflecting their core values and strategic direction. ...
. Business fables are intended to show readers how different leadership, project management, and other tools can be used in real life situations.
The genre saw a peak in the early 2000s.
Despite predictions from the
Harvard Business Review
''Harvard Business Review'' (''HBR'') is a general management magazine published by Harvard Business Publishing, a not-for-profit, independent corporation that is an affiliate of Harvard Business School. ''HBR'' is published six times a year ...
, business fables are still being produced and read.
Patrick Lencioni and
Jon Gordon continue their long standing writing careers in the genre of leadership fables. In addition several independents and authors from smaller publishing houses are joining the genre. Lencioni, who wrote one of the highest rated business books on
Goodreads
Goodreads is an American social cataloging website and a subsidiary of Amazon that allows individuals to search its database of books, annotations, quotes, and reviews. Users can sign up and register books to generate library catalogs and readi ...
, is helping new authors to write their business fables.
Business fables may not provide all the details found in a traditional business book, but a fictional narrative is meant to
affect the emotions of the audience, unlike a conventional tome. Some authors and publishers are providing details into the key aspects of how to write a successful Business fable.
Others point out the flaws like in some business fables and how authors could improve their stories. Many authors augment their business fables with workbooks and materials that can be downloaded from their websites.
Bestsellers
''New York Times'' bestsellers in the business fable genre include:
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* Later republished by St. Martin's Press, Macmiliians, and Portfolio.
Other notable business fables include:
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Fish! Philosophy
The Fish! Philosophy (styled FISH! Philosophy), modeled after the Pike Place Fish Market, is a business technique that is aimed at creating happy individuals in the workplace. John Christensen created this philosophy in 1998 to improve organiza ...
'' by Stephen Lundin (2000)
* ''
The Chicken and the Pig
The business fable of The Chicken and the Pig is about commitment to a project or cause. When producing a dish made of eggs with ham or bacon, the pig provides the ham or bacon which requires his or her sacrifice and the chicken provides the egg ...
''
See also
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References
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Motivation
Popular psychology books
Management books
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