Manager Retreat: King Henry V

Today was our day full of Shakespeare, the day Craig has been waiting for for a very long time. To begin our retreat, Bryan Varin thanked the managers for the time and effort they put into the units they run. Why is it so important to have good food for our students? Well, it has been said that food fuels academic success, the reason students are here at UGA. He wanted to assure us that the university and Dining Services were moving in a very positive direction. A few years ago, Dining Services made a profit of about 4 million annually. When Bryan took over the position, this was a shock because the money could be used to help students. Meal plan prices were lowered and more students are slowly taking advantage of it. Over the years is has jumped from 9,000 students to 11,000 and now with a prediction of 13,000 students on the meal plan. Instead of profiting 4 million, last year they came in with 1.7 million but it saved students so much money. They also opened up several retail options for students around campus to add variety to the dining experience of students.

Other projects that are up in the air are freight farms on campus. They would convert a freight into an operating ecosystem to produce fresh food to be used in the dining halls. Several other universities have invested in them. Luckily, there is a family willing to donate the funds for the project, which is about $200,000. This project would also supply learning opportunities for students involved in environmental studies. A win-win for everyone!Bryan mentioned a few other projects that would lead to an increase in savings as well as fulfill the students wants.

Let’s get to the Shakespeare!

We are not born to be leaders or managers. Over time we learn skills to help us become what who we are today. When I was younger, I wanted to be a zookeeper, then a veterinarian, landscape architect, orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist, and now I have truly discovered my passion to pursue nutrition to become a Registered Dietitian. Yes, I know there were some interesting aspirations but I have learned different skills from each to help me find what I want to do with my future. I was not born to be a Registered Dietitian and I’m glad no one was because the field is so vast with new studies being done every day to find the best way to help people live healthier and fuller lives. There’s no way someone could be born with all that knowledge without reaching out and experiencing the world around us.

King Henry V was not born into his reign but quickly learned the ropes on how to properly lead his people and motivate them to fight for him. Starting out fresh to this whole new atmosphere, he needed more support and knew who to go to for it, the Church. He needed the Church and vice versa. With the support of the Church came the support of the people that followed it. The incentive he offered was protection and a strong leadership. Managers also have to offer some type of incentive to the employees besides being paid. The work environment should be an open one so opinions can be voiced and heard. Create a reason for them to want to come to work.

As we dove deeper into the book, we saw King Henry V reinvent himself. People saw him as immature and irresponsible because of his age and who associated himself with prior to taking the throne. Coming to the realization, he changed for the better. Henry had to act like a king, less jokes and more authoritative. He owned it. Sometimes when managers move up the ladder they might move above their friends. It is tricky working above friends but there has to be a mutual understanding that there a job to get done and a business to run. You learn different techniques along the way on how to approach situations to achieve the best outcome. Learning opportunities are always around the corner.

Creeping around the corner, you would not find a soldier trying to steal from a newly conqueror village. You would hopefully find a kind and welcoming soldier. Why did King Henry V want to keep the village untouched? Though the village was the French’s, it was his and he wanted to treat it like is his own. Henry showed them respect and protected them, in return they supported him. The recurring theme of “support” makes its way through the pages again. In the workplace, support is highly sought after because it is easier to motivate and boost the morale.

Later, Shakespeare shows Henry disguising himself as he goes down to the front line to check on the soldiers. None of them recognize him so he uses it to his advantage. They talk about how the king is to blame for all the deaths of the other soldiers. Henry uses this as a teaching moment. Everyone has their own story and the decisions they have made in their past but the king is not responsible for the loss of their lives. They must prepare themselves for the fight and be blessed with the time they have, but when the time has come, it is not the king’s fault. “Every subject’s duty is the king’s, but every subject’s soul is his own.” Take each moment you are given and live it like it is your last and put your trust in those around and above you. The attitude of the soldiers suddenly changes and they become even more loyal to the king they have never met. Henry makes a negative comment about the king and the soldiers called him stupid for saying such a thing. Unending support.

Mental note to take: People do not work for us, we work with them.

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Why do you want to be king/manager? Craig asked us this question to really stir up some thoughts. Do you enjoy your position? Several managers enjoyed showing the road for their employees as to what a good manager should be like, setting a precedent of expectations for their future managers. Others loved the teaching moments involved with their position. This may include teaching about kitchenware and various skills to do the job correctly but other moments may geared more towards personal development. Not only do you create good workers but build better people.

Whatever position you may be in, why did you want to do it? What is your impact on others?

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Shakespeare jumps forward a few years when the battlefield have silenced and the kings are ready to talk things through. Henry asked for the French King’s daughter in marriage, hoping to unite the kingdoms and prevent future wars. The scene between Henry and Katherine (the daughter) was a nice contrast from the rest of the story, quite comical. He tries to speak in french to her so she could understand him better but it was a struggle. Henry knew it wasn’t very good but wanted to show her he would make the effort for her, she was worth it. He was brutally honest with her because the relationship would be a two way street, not just him saying whatever goes. He wanted to invest in her. Do you invest in your employees? Do they know they are worth it? You don’t have to speak in french to them or tell them you love them over and over but show your appreciation in a special way. The kind gesture will go longer than you think and could possibly change a life.

Shakespeare brought to perspective several different themes that be applied to the managerial atmosphere. We are not born to be leaders but we can learn how we want to lead others.