• IntroductionAPR  | 

    It all started as a joke, a comment a co-worker made when we were reviewing projects as part of a corporate initiative. We had seen these projects before and rejected them before because they didn't have much benefit. Now as part of new initiative, they were somehow more attractive? "Bring out your dead! Bring out all your dead projects! They'll seem healthy now." This sparked a neuron and suddenly I began to see allusions to Monty Python and the Holy Grail everywhere I looked. Isn't business a lot like Monty Python's search for the Holy Grail? Think about it. Read more...

  • Coconuts as HorsesAPR 10  |

    The movie opens with Arthur and his trusty servant banging coconut shells together and prancing in a ridiculous fashion to imitate horse-riding. (Well, actually the movie opens with several minutes of credits that include fake Swedish, multiple mentions of moose, an apology by Richard Nixon, and well, you get the drift.) Anyway, the Monty Python crew couldn't afford horses so they used coconut shells to imitate hoofbeats and a silly way of prancing with one foot and one arm forward in a pretend horse posture. Read more...

  • NEW! The Fighting LauncelotMAY 11   |

    The tale of Sir Launcelot begins with Launcelot and his trusty page, Concorde, galloping through the countryside, still riding pretend horses. Alas, out of nowhere, an arrow with a message attached fatally wounds Concorde. The note is from someone held captive in Swamp Castle who is being forced to marry against their will. Of course, Launcelot assumes that this is a damsel in distress, and, ever the opportunist, he seizes the chance to prove his mettle and launch a daring rescue.  Read more...

  • NEWER! The Killer Bunny RabbitJUNE 4   |

    We catch up with the Monty Python crew as Tim the Enchanter leads the gang to the cave where the holy grail is supposed to be hidden. Only the cave is guarded by the most fearsome and vicious monster. As the men wait in fear for the monster to show itself, out hops a bunny rabbit of the white, fluffy kind. Tim shouts something like “There it is, the beast!” but the men are confused. It’s only a little bunny rabbit. Arthur dispatches one of his men to slay the beast, but to his dismay,... Read more...

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About this website

Holy Hand GrenadeThis website is based on a book that uses the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, as an analogy for the life in a modern corporation - an illusive objective, bloated egos, a dysfunctional leadership team, and idiocy all around.

APR 14

SIR ROBIN AND THE THREE-HEADED KNIGHT

THE DANGERS OF CORPORATE INFIGHTING

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Now that King Arthur and his knights have split up, each proceeds to his own tale of adventure. This is the tale of Sir Robin, the Not-So-Brave, and his minstrels.

 Robin passes through a forest with danger signs warning of a certain death to all who trespass. As Robin and his minstrels continue on, they pass knights impaled on spears and others with axes through their heads. Suddenly, standing before them is a huge, ominous three-headed knight.  The knight (or is it knights? Does a body with three heads qualify as an individual or as three?)  demands to know who wants to proceed, and Sir Robin quiveringly tells them  that he is a Knight of the Round Table.  At this, the first head declares his intent to kill Sir Robin, but the second head isn’t so sure. The third head thinks definitely not this time. Now the three heads are bickering amongst themselves: “You talk too much.” “Your breath stinks.” “You don’t brush my teeth” until they all finally agree to kill Sir Robin and then go have some tea. However, Robin has escaped with his minstrels while the heads were distracted by their internal power struggle.

I think the lesson for business here is pretty obvious. You really don't want three, equal heads who need consensus in order to do even the simplest of things. Yet, in businesses today, don't we find.............?

THE TALE OF SIR MATRIX

THE NOT-SO-DECISIVE

Cartoon about Sir Matrix, the three-headed knight, who gives his direct report conflicting priorities

 

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