Define Roles and Responsibilities

A few years ago, I was conducting some research on unusual businesses. We called it the “businesses gone wild” project. I was in South Africa visiting and experiencing cage diving tours with great white sharks. Basically, these tours take adventurers to where great whites swim, chum the water with blood, and then lower people (in steel cages) into the water for an up-close look. I was amazed as the Captain reminded tourists to keep their hands in the cage. I asked him if any had lost limbs on the adventure. He quickly replied, Yes! Sharks do not like to be petted. Evidently, there is a strong urge to reach out and pet the sharks once you are among them. The Captain then asked if I was ready to go on a cage dive. I immediately declined; I was there to observe. I was also there to explore the link between cage diving operations and the increase in shark attacks on local beaches. I was no fan of the operation or of the fact that the South African government sanctioned the tours. The reaction bought me a lot of good-natured ridicule from the Captain and some of the mates. Mr. College Professor, Mr. Brave American! Are you afraid of sharks! I looked at the Captain and replied, Not if they are on land. If they are on land and I have a baseball bat then they had better be afraid of me! As observed by Einstein, everybody is a genius in their proper context. It is a source of pride, a crucial aspect of building belonging in the workplace, and an important form of identity…