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How envy, as depicted in Othello, can devastate lives and
institutions, and what leaders and workers can do to combat it with planning
and action.
In Othello,
Shakespeare warns us: envy is a destructive force that erodes people, families,
and organizations. But with modern planning and creative strategies, we can
transform this poison into opportunities for growth.
Four centuries after its
creation, Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare remains a
timeless work, its lessons resonating in power dynamics, human relationships,
and modern organizations. At the heart of the tragedy lies envy, embodied by
Iago, a villain whose covetousness triggers a chain of destruction. In his book
Othello, by Shakespeare: Envy Destroys People, Families, and Organizations,
Antônio Carlos dos Santos examines how this profoundly human yet devastating
emotion undermines individuals, households, and institutions. Envy, Santos
argues, is not merely a personal feeling; it is a force that, if left
unchecked, can lead to the collapse of companies, governments, and communities.
This article explores these connections, offering scientific insights, planning
strategies, and innovative methodologies, such as those developed by Santos, to
inspire leaders and workers to overcome procrastination and envy, fostering
healthier and more productive environments.
Motivational Quote: “Envy is the poison that taints
the soul and paralyzes progress.” – Antônio Carlos dos Santos
Envy, as described by
Santos, arises from comparisons that highlight the absence of something
desired—be it a material possession, a quality, or a social position. In Othello,
Iago is driven by envy of Cassio’s promotion and Othello’s perceived
superiority, manipulating those around him to achieve his goals. Recent
studies, such as one from Stanford University in 2023, show that envy in the
workplace reduces productivity by 15% and increases interpersonal conflicts by
20%. This emotion, when unmanaged, fuels procrastination, as envious
individuals may sabotage colleagues or avoid tasks out of fear of not
outshining others. Santos, through his Quasar K+ strategic planning
methodology, proposes a practical approach to counter these issues: aligning
collective goals, promoting transparency, and encouraging meritocracy. Quasar
K+ has been successfully implemented in public organizations, as we will
explore, reducing procrastination and enhancing collaboration.
Curiosity Box: What is envy, according to
science?
Research from Harvard University (2022) defines envy as a complex emotion
combining admiration and resentment. It activates the prefrontal cortex,
associated with social comparison, and can lead to destructive behaviors, such
as gossip or sabotage, or constructive ones, like motivation to improve,
depending on how it is managed.
The historical context of Othello
reflects the tensions of a Europe in transformation during the 17th century,
marked by economic and political shifts. The rise of the bourgeoisie challenged
the nobility, creating a disconnect between economic and political power—a
dynamic Santos compares to modern organizations, where envy often stems from
unequal promotions, salaries, or recognition. In Strategic Communication:
The Art of Speaking Well, Santos emphasizes that clear communication is
essential to mitigate misunderstandings that fuel envy. He suggests leaders use
active listening and constructive feedback, practices that, according to a 2024
study from the University of São Paulo (USP), increase team trust by 30%.
Santos’ MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater) methodology complements this
approach, using theater to teach leaders how to recognize and redirect negative
emotions like envy into productive actions.
Inspiring Story: The leader who overcame envy
Ana, a manager at a state-owned company, faced a toxic environment where
colleagues competed for promotions, fostering gossip and envy. Inspired by
Santos’ Quasar K+ methodology, she implemented weekly alignment meetings where
everyone shared goals and achievements. Within six months, team productivity
rose by 25%, and conflicts decreased. Ana learned that transparency and
collaboration are powerful antidotes to envy.
The Quasar K+ methodology
is particularly effective in public organizations, where procrastination and
envy can be exacerbated by bureaucracy and lack of meritocracy. A practical
example occurred in a Brazilian state-owned company in 2023. The human
resources department faced chronic delays in project delivery, with employees
procrastinating due to internal rivalries. Using Quasar K+, leadership
developed a strategic plan with four steps: 1) mapping competencies to
recognize talent; 2) setting clear, shared goals; 3) conducting theater-based
workshops inspired by MAT to improve communication; and 4) continuous
monitoring with feedback. Within three months, project completion rates rose
from 60% to 85%, according to an internal report. The use of theater, drawn
from Santos’ Moving Letters: The Art of Writing Well, helped employees
express frustrations creatively, reducing tensions.
Practical Tip: How to use Quasar K+ to combat
procrastination
1.
Gather
your team and identify procrastinated tasks, noting reasons (e.g., fear of
failure, envy of colleagues).
2.
Set
specific, measurable goals, breaking large projects into smaller steps.
3.
Organize
a theatrical session (inspired by MAT) where each member acts out an obstacle
and proposes solutions.
4.
Track
progress weekly, celebrating small wins to maintain motivation.
Santos’ ThM (Theater
Movement) methodology, detailed in Total theater, Theater Movement,
is also powerful for addressing envy. ThM combines physical movement and
theater to release emotional tensions, fostering empathy and collaboration. A
2024 study from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) found that
movement-based theatrical activities increase team cohesion by 22%, reducing
envious behaviors. In Othello, Othello’s inability to control his
emotions, manipulated by Iago, leads to tragedy. Santos argues that leaders
must learn to “breathe” before acting, using diction and movement techniques to
maintain clarity under pressure. These practices help avoid impulsive
decisions, common in environments where envy prevails.
Envy also impacts families
and communities, as Santos explores in his book. In Othello, Iago’s
envy destroys Othello and Desdemona’s marriage, showing how toxic emotions can
erode personal bonds. A 2023 study from the Federal University of Rio de
Janeiro (UFRJ) found that envy among family members reduces cooperation by 18%,
affecting dynamics like mutual support. Santos’ TBMB (Mané Beiçudo Puppet
Theater) methodology offers a creative solution: using puppets to stage family
conflicts, allowing people to express emotions safely. In a community project
in Salvador, TBMB reduced tensions in 40% of participating families, according
to a local report. This playful approach transforms envy into dialogue,
promoting mutual understanding.
Curiosity Box: Why is Iago such a memorable
villain?
Iago, the antagonist in Othello, is considered one of literature’s
greatest villains for his ability to manipulate without a clear motive beyond
envy. Psychological studies from the University of Oxford (2021) suggest that
characters like Iago embody “malignant envy,” which seeks to destroy others
without direct personal gain, a trait present in 10% of organizational
conflicts.
For leaders, the challenge
is to create organizational cultures that neutralize envy. Santos, in Othello,
by Shakespeare, highlights the importance of meritocracy and transparency
to reduce rivalries. A 2024 study from the University of Campinas (Unicamp)
showed that companies with clear reward systems experience 25% fewer cases of
envy-driven sabotage. Quasar K+ reinforces this by promoting strategic planning
that aligns individual and collective interests. Additionally, MAT and ThM
teach leaders to recognize signs of envy—such as gossip or resistance to
change—and intervene with activities that build trust. These methodologies turn
envy into motivation, encouraging teams to work together toward shared goals.
Inspiring Story: The team that overcame
rivalries
In a tech company, two programmers, Pedro and Lucas, competed for a promotion,
creating an envious atmosphere that delayed projects. Their manager, trained in
Santos’ ThM, organized a session where each employee used theatrical movements
to express frustrations. Pedro and Lucas realized their insecurities were
similar and began collaborating. The team completed the project ahead of
schedule, and both were promoted.
The legacy of Othello
and Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ ideas is a call to action. Envy can destroy, but
it can also be a catalyst for growth if channeled correctly. Leaders, workers,
and families should adopt strategies like Quasar K+, MAT, ThM, and TBMB to
transform negative emotions into collaboration and productivity. As Santos
writes in Strategic Communication, “speaking well is listening well,
and listening well is building bridges.” Let’s build those bridges, overcoming
procrastination and envy to create a fairer, more harmonious future. Draw
inspiration from Shakespeare, plan with purpose, and act with courage—the stage
is yours.
Practical Tip: Neutralize envy in the
workplace
1.
Recognize
signs of envy, such as sarcastic comments or withdrawal.
2.
Hold
an open meeting (using MAT) to discuss challenges and align expectations.
3.
Create
a fair recognition system, highlighting everyone’s achievements.
4.
Use
TBMB in training to stage conflicts and find creative solutions.
Access the books by Antônio Carlos dos Santos on amazon.com or amazon.com.br
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