The fungus gnat is a group of small, dark, short lived insects of the genus Arachnocampa. Some species in this genus glows or illuminates in their larval stage or in other word, have luminescent larval stage. If we study the glowing larva of the fungus gnat, we will be surprised to see that they follow one of the finest and the most sophisticated management principles during larval stage.
Every one knows that the insects in general get attracted towards light. Being an insect by itself, the fungus gnat knows this. No only it just knows this information, it also knows how to exploit the above knowledge to its advantage or trapping its prey. The larva of fungus gnat preys upon other small insects.
The larva spins a sticky thread like web and hangs down in the caves. The larva patiently waits for the prey (insects) to come and fall in the sticky web. To attract the insect, they glow brilliantly. The interesting thing about the fungus gnat larva is that only the hungry larva glows the best and not the one that had its meal. Naturally the hungry larva when glows can attracts the prey.
Imagine, if all the larvae, those had their meal also glows, the chance of the hungry one finding its food become difficult. May be only to avoid such possibility, the hungry ones alone glows the most.
There are four important dimensions of management the glowing larva of fungus gnat conveys to the corporate viz.,
1. Knowledge is essential for success (they know that the insects get attracted towards light)
2. The knowledge is not ?just? knowing, one should translate the knowledge into doing (they glow well and attract the prey by knowing the weakness of insects for light)
3. The knowledge also should help one another and not just ?serve? ones own interest (the larva that had its meal glow less to enhance the chance of the hungry one to have their prey)
What an amazing management wisdom they carry and follow. From knowing to doing and from doing to ensuring success of everyone in their group is what they profess and follow. The modern corporate must learn this management message.
Many people in the corporate have knowledge. The knowledgeable people unfortunately never put their knowledge in their work. Further, their knowledge also never allows them to support and help others. This is how the people in most corporate function these days. Learn about the fungus gnat, reflect and correct if you feel like.
Dr S Ranganathan, ClinRise Derma Pvt., Ltd., Chennai
