What is the Emperor Wearing? Once upon a time, an emperor who loved clothes was approached by two con men who made him an offer he couldnt refuse. They promised to weave him a special cloth that would be invisible to anyone that is stupid or unworthy of their position. As the work proceeded, the emperor sent high-ranking officials to inspect the cloth. While these officials saw only air where the cloth was supposedly being made, they reported that the work was proceeding well for fear of being considered stupid or unworthy of their rank. Finally the emperor and his entourage came to inspect the cloth. None could see it, but all, also fearing to be known as stupid, proclaimed its magnificence. The con men pretended to cut and sew while everyone supported the deception. When the emperor wore clothes made from the fabric, the crowd likewise pretended to see clothes. A small child, viewing the naked emperor, announced to all that could hear: the emperor has no clothes! This book provides valuable stories similar to the one told above. These are stories of ordinary individuals in the workplace who are striving to steer a course between deception and damaging confrontation by developing truth-telling skills. |
