Introduction
In our previous discussion we delved into the crucial role of social capital in organisational success, drawing on the timeless wisdom of Aesop's fable of the Lion and the Mouse, and the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. These narratives highlighted how social capital — comprising networks, norms, and trust — facilitates coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit. High social capital acts as a cultural enabler, a lubricant that augments trust, enhances collaboration, and supports better productivity.
The foundation of social capital lies in reciprocity, the mutual exchange of goods, services, or favours governed by a sense of obligation and social norms. Leaders who consistently engage in moral reciprocity cultivate an environment of mutual respect and cooperation, which is essential for high-performing organisations.
Through the stories of the Lion and the Mouse, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, we learned that even small acts of kindness can lead to significant mutual benefits, reinforcing that no kindness is ever wasted. We also discovered the importance of accountability and integrity in reciprocal relationships, showing that genuine courage lies in facing the repercussions of one's actions and striving for virtue despite personal weaknesses. Additionally, the "tit for tat" response strategy highlights how reciprocal actions — responding to cooperation with cooperation and to betrayal with equivalent actions — can effectively tilt behaviours towards reciprocity and consequently build trust over time.
Given humanity's social and communal nature, it is perhaps unsurprising that, as we delve further into myths and legends across cultures, aspects of reciprocity are often highlighted, offering valuable lessons for both social interaction and leadership success. These stories, passed down through generations, encapsulate the complexities of our interactions and the importance of reciprocity in building trust and cooperation.
By recounting the tales of the Binding of Fenrir, Hercules' Twelve Labours, and the White Buffalo Calf Woman (Lakota), this article will uncover the enduring principles of reciprocity crucial for contemporary leadership success. Each story offers unique insights into the dynamics of reciprocal relationships, the importance of maintaining trust and the ethical foundations necessary for building robust social capital within organisations. These narratives will provide a deeper understanding of how leaders can cultivate and sustain a culture of reciprocity, enhancing social capital and driving organisational success.
The Binding of Fenrir
The binding of Fenrir is rich with symbolism, illustrating the intricate balance between order and chaos, the sacrifices inherent in leadership, and the necessity of preparing for existential threats. This myth serves as an allegory for contemporary leadership, underscoring the delicate equilibrium between control and ethics and the enduring struggle to keep the ravages of entropy at bay.
In Norse mythology, Fenrir, a giant wolf, is the offspring of Loki and the giantess Angrboda, alongside Jormungandr and Hel. Prophecy foretells their roles in the destruction of the gods. The gods of Asgard cast Hel into the underworld and throw Jormungandr into the sea, but dealing with Fenrir requires a different approach.
When Fenrir is a pup, the gods keep him in Asgard, hoping to manage the threat he poses [1]. However, as he grows, it becomes clear they can't control him indefinitely. Tyr, the god of war and justice, is the only one brave enough to feed Fenrir, creating a bond of trust [2]. Fenrir's destiny as a formidable destructive force in the prophecy of Ragnarok, the end of the world, is evident.
Fearing Fenrir's power, the gods decide to bind him, hoping to delay Ragnorak. They craft chains and fetters, pretending it is a game to test his strength [3]. Suspicious but eager to prove his might, Fenrir allows himself to be bound but easily breaks the first two sets.
Realising that they need something stronger; the gods turn to the dwarves. The dwarves create Gleipnir, a magical binding made from six supposedly impossible things: the sound of a cat's footsteps, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, the sinews of a bear, the breath of a fish, and the spittle of a bird [4]. Despite its delicate appearance, Gleipnir is incredibly strong and unbreakable.
The gods present Gleipnir to Fenrir, again framing it as a test of strength. Fenrir, now highly suspicious, senses deceit. He agrees to be bound if one of the gods places their hand in his mouth as a gesture of good faith, ensuring that they will release him if he cannot break free. Tyr, the bravest of the gods, steps forward and places his hand in Fenrir's mouth.
Fenrir is unable to break Gleipnir despite his immense strength. Realising he has been tricked, he bites off Tyr's hand in a rage. The gods secure Fenrir to a rock, wedging a sword between his jaws to keep them open, preventing him from biting further [5].
As Ragnarok approaches, Fenrir's bindings weaken, and he breaks free from Gleipnir, marking the beginning of the end [6]. He joins the battle and targets Odin, ultimately devouring him and fulfilling the prophecy. However, Odin's son, Vidar, avenges his father by using a magical shoe to tear apart Fenrir's jaws, killing him [7] [8]. The death of Fenrir and the ensuing destruction signify the end of the old world, paving the way for renewal and a new era [9].
Leadership Takeaways
The myth of the binding of Fenrir provides some important takeaways for leaders navigating the complexities of establishing reciprocal relationships and building social capital in their teams.
Trust and Integrity: In the binding of Fenrir, trust plays a pivotal role. Initially, Tyr establishes a bond by feeding Fenrir, demonstrating and cultivating trust. However, this trust is inherently fragile. When the gods decide to bind Fenrir, they deceive him by pretending it is a game to test his strength. This betrayal shatters the trust that had been painstakingly built. For contemporary leaders, this underscores the delicate nature of trust and the imperative of maintaining it through transparent and ethical behaviour. Trust must be nurtured; it forms the foundation of strong reciprocal relationships, and once broken, it is exceedingly challenging to repair.
Deceit Fuels Bitterness and Builds Grudges: The gods' betrayal ignites Fenrir's rage, causing him to bite off Tyr's hand in response. Over time, this deceit fosters bitterness and malevolence, ultimately leading to Fenrir's central role in Ragnarok and the death of Odin. Leaders should avoid deceitful practices as they exponentially increase harm far beyond what might occur without deception. Honesty in respecting agreements is essential in fostering trust and maintaining social capital within an organisation. Deception, even if it appears beneficial in the short term, can lead to enduring negative consequences and the erosion of trust.
Balanced Control: The sword holding Fenrir's jaws open symbolises the level of control the gods believe is necessary to manage chaos. It serves as a reminder that actions must be proportionate and tempered with ethics to prevent bitterness and difficulties from festering. Effective leaders maintain this delicate balance to ensure sufficient order while empowering their teams, emphasising the importance of handling others ethically with fairness and respect. Excessive control undermines trust and leads to resentment, which drives turnover. This underscores the necessity of balanced control in supporting reciprocity and enhancing social capital, fostering a positive organisational culture.
The Importance of Sacrifice: Tyr's sacrifice — placing his hand in Fenrir's mouth — highlights the critical role of personal sacrifice in maintaining relationships and societal order. Tyr's bravery underscores the personal costs that leaders must be willing to bear to achieve the greater good. Effective leadership often requires making difficult, personal sacrifices to demonstrate solidarity and commitment. Leaders who embody this principle show their dedication and build a strong foundation of trust, fostering reciprocal behaviour and social capital within their teams.
Collective Effort and Individual Responsibility: The gods' collective effort to address the threat of Fenrir reinforces the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in overcoming challenges. This collective resilience reflects their commitment to one another and maintaining societal order. This underscores the significance of shared goals and aligned collective action for contemporary leaders in delivering the business strategy. Each leader taking personal accountability for achieving agreed-upon goals fuels reciprocity, reinforcing accountability — a virtuous circle. Effective collaboration begins with each leader's accountability for delivering business goals, which typically necessitates sacrifice. Given the unpredictability of colleagues' actions, the onus is on all leaders to be accountable and make the necessary sacrifices to activate this virtuous cycle.
Respect as the Foundation of Reciprocity: The story of Fenrir invites us to ponder whether different treatments might have led to different outcomes. While hypothetical, this underscores a critical leadership principle: reciprocity must begin with respect. Had the gods treated Fenrir respectfully from the outset, the stage would have been set for building reciprocal relationships. Leaders must recognise that respecting and valuing others is a prerequisite for establishing positive working relationships.
The binding of Fenrir highlights the critical importance of trust, integrity, balanced control, sacrifice, collective effort, and respect in establishing reciprocal relationships. These elements are foundational to creating and maintaining compelling and harmonious organisational dynamics. In the next section, we return to the story of the Twelve Labours of Hercules, which offers important insights into the dynamics of reciprocity [10].
Apples of the Hesperides
Hercules, also known as Heracles in Greek mythology, was the illegitimate son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Hercules faced immense hardships due to the relentless wrath of Hera, Zeus's jealous wife. In a fit of madness induced by Hera, Hercules tragically killed his wife Megara and their children. Overwhelmed by grief and seeking redemption, Hercules consulted the Oracle of Delphi, who instructed him to serve King Eurystheus of Mycenae for twelve years as penance for his crimes. Eurystheus, assigned Hercules twelve seemingly impossible tasks, known as the Twelve Labours. The labours tested Hercules' integrity, courage, and ingenuity, ultimately leading to his immortality and solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology.
For his eleventh labour, King Eurystheus tasks Hercules with retrieving the golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides. These apples were a wedding gift from Gaia to Hera and kept in a secret garden at the world's western edge. The garden is tended by the Hesperides, nymphs of the evening, and guarded by the fearsome hundred-headed dragon, Ladon.
Hercules' quest to find the garden takes him across the known world. During his journey, Hercules encounters Prometheus, whom Zeus is punishing for giving fire to humanity. Bound to a rock, Prometheus endures an eagle perpetually eating his regenerating liver. Hercules, moved by compassion, slays the eagle and frees the Titan from his torment. In gratitude, Prometheus advises Hercules to seek out the Titan Atlas, as he knows the location of the Garden of the Hesperides [11].
Hercules eventually locates Atlas, condemned to hold up the sky for eternity [12]. Recognising his difficulty in retrieving the golden apples, Hercules seeks Atlas' assistance. He proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement: Atlas will fetch the golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides, and in return, Hercules will take on Atlas' burden of holding up the sky. Weary from his punishment and eager for a reprieve, Atlas welcomes the relief and agrees to the proposal.
As Hercules braces himself under the sky, Atlas retrieves the golden apples. Since the Hesperides are Atlas' children, he quickly secures the apples [13]. Upon his return with the golden apples, Atlas, having tasted freedom, is reluctant to resume his burden. He suggests delivering the apples to King Eurystheus himself.
Sensing Atlas's reluctance, Hercules pretends to agree but asks Atlas to hold the sky again for a moment so he can adjust his cloak for more comfort. Not expecting any deceit, Atlas takes the sky back onto his shoulders. As soon as Atlas resumes his burden, Hercules swiftly picks up the golden apples and escapes, leaving Atlas to continue his eternal task.
Leadership Takeaways
Personal Brand: Hercules' brand of selflessness, courage, nobility, and loyalty was meticulously established and refined throughout his twelve labours. This strong personal brand laid the foundation for reciprocal relationships with Atlas, built on trust and respect. For leaders, the takeaway is clear: a weak or unknown reputation leads to cautious relationship building and fragile, untested alliances, whereas a positive brand fosters solid and supportive relationships that are immediately impactful.
Seeking Win-Win: The story, of course, underscores the criticality of respect — fair exchange was a principle that Hercules understood well, always aiming for balance and equity in his interactions. This is exemplified in his negotiation with Atlas, where Hercules agrees to hold up the sky in exchange for Atlas retrieving the golden apples. For contemporary leaders, Hercules' approach reinforces the principle that reciprocal relationships are grounded in respect and should be conducted on an adult-to-adult basis to achieve fair and equitable outcomes over time.
The Cost of Win-Lose: When Atlas attempts to deceive Hercules by suggesting he deliver the apples himself, Hercules responds with his trickery, pretending to need a moment to adjust his cloak. This exchange causes an immediate breakdown of trust and removes any chance of further mutual value from the relationship in the future. Hercules' response to Atlas' cunning is a classic example of the 'tit for tat' strategy and illustrates the risks of viewing reciprocity as isolated win-lose transactions rather than a continuous process [14]. For contemporary leaders, this underscores the importance of maintaining long-term, trust-based relationships and matching deceit with an appropriate uncooperative response to nudge behaviour back towards reciprocity [15].
The story of Hercules and the golden apples reinforces the importance of personal sacrifice, trust, and mutually beneficial relationships in establishing reciprocity. This brings us to the final tale of the White Buffalo Calf Woman from Lakota Sioux mythology, which illustrates one final principle: symbolic reciprocity.
White Buffalo Calf Woman
The Lakota Sioux suffer from a severe famine, and the elders send two young warriors to hunt for food. While crossing the plains, they encounter a beautiful young woman dressed in white buckskin.
One of the warriors, lustful and overcome with desire, reaches out to touch her. The woman smiles and tells him to come closer. As he does, a cloud of mist envelops him, and when it clears, his body lies lifeless on the ground, reduced to a pile of bones [16].
The other warrior, terrified but respectful, kneels before her. The woman tells him to return to his people and prepare for her arrival, as she has essential teachings to share with them. The warrior does as he is instructed and returns to his tribe. The tribe prepares for her visit, and soon, the mysterious woman arrives. She introduces herself as Pte Ska Win, the White Buffalo Calf Woman.
The tribe gathers around her, eager to hear her message. She unwraps her bundle, revealing a sacred pipe, the Chanunpa. She explains the pipe's significance, emphasising its role in connecting the Lakota people with Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, and the universe.
White Buffalo Calf Woman teaches the people the seven sacred ceremonies to ensure their connection to the Earth and the Great Spirit [17]. She instructs the Lakota on how to use the pipe during these ceremonies. She teaches them to respect and honour all life, to live in harmony with the natural world, and to maintain a balance between the physical and spiritual realms.
After imparting her wisdom, White Buffalo Calf Woman leaves the Lakota people. As she walks away, she transforms into a white buffalo calf, a powerful and sacred symbol [18]. White Buffalo Calf Woman then rolls over and changes colour from white to black, red, and yellow [19]. Finally, she disappears over the horizon.
The Lakota people follow her teachings and integrate the sacred ceremonies into their culture. The White Buffalo Calf Woman's visit marks a new era of spiritual depth and unity for the Lakota, supporting their survival and prosperity. She promises to return one day to bring peace and harmony to the world.
Leadership Takeaways
Symbolic Reciprocity: The story of White Buffalo Calf Woman is a cornerstone of Lakota spirituality, symbolising the deep connection between the people, the natural world, and the Great Spirit. The Lakota have a reciprocal relationship with the Great Spirit, serving ideals higher than themselves. In return, they receive spiritual guidance, protection, and blessings that sustain their community and way of life. These ideals are represented through symbolic rituals and practices introduced by White Buffalo Calf Woman. These rituals reinforce and deepen social connections, build social capital and strengthen culture.
Jonathan Haidt argues that people have a "God-shaped hole" in their hearts, emphasising our innate need to serve a higher purpose supported through meaningful rituals. Haidt suggests that this need evolved to foster group cohesion and social bonding and that, even in the absence of traditional religious beliefs, people will find other ways to fill this void through community or other activities that provide a sense of meaning and belonging.
In an organisational context, symbolic reciprocity is applied by creating and maintaining meaningful traditions and rituals that embody the organisation's core values and higher purpose. These practices serve as constant reminders of the organisation's mission and ideals, fostering a deeper connection among employees and with the organisation itself. Successful leaders understand the importance of these rituals and actively support them, recognising that they are crucial for building trust, cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose.
Corporate rituals and practices reinforce an organisation's core values, fostering a strong sense of community and mutual respect among employees, and building social capital. For instance, Google's "Thank God It's Friday" (TGIF) meetings allow employees to engage directly with senior management, ask questions, and stay informed about company news. This practice fosters transparency and open communication. Similarly, Netflix's "Freedom and Responsibility" culture gives employees significant autonomy. It expects them to take ownership of their projects, reinforced through policies like unlimited vacation and flexible work schedules, promoting mutual respect and trust.
At Spotify, employees are encouraged to take regular breaks to connect, the Swedish tradition of "Fika". Ben & Jerry's integrates their social mission into company practices by allowing employees to spend work hours volunteering and participating in community projects. These examples illustrate how symbolic reciprocity, through meaningful rituals and practices, can create a cohesive and motivated workforce deeply connected to the organisation's higher ideals and purpose.
By embedding symbolic reciprocity into the organisational culture through ritual and tradition, leaders can build social capital and create a cohesive workforce deeply connected to the organisation's purpose and values. While I'm not advocating the worship of businesses, there is a reciprocal relationship between employees and organisations, and rituals at work play a significant role in supporting our psychological need for connection and establishing purpose. This approach strengthens internal bonds, reinforces a culture of shared values, helps align efforts behind a shared and higher purpose, and generates commercial value.
Back to Respect: Finally, the story of White Buffalo Calf Woman reinforces the importance of respect as the underpinning anchor of successful relationships. The first warrior is killed for being lustful and having disrespectful intentions, wanting to claim White Buffalo Calf Woman for himself. In stark contrast, the respectful warrior, who approaches her with reverence, is rewarded with invaluable teachings. This story starkly contrasts the fates of the two warriors, emphasising that integrity and respect are foundational to all working relationships. For contemporary leaders, the message is clear: being respectful and maintaining personal integrity is the foundation for positive working relationships.
Summary
Reciprocity is the cornerstone of effective interpersonal relationships and leadership success. The myths of the Binding of Fenrir, Hercules' quest for the Golden Apples, and the White Buffalo Calf Woman offer valuable insights into trust, integrity, balanced control, sacrifice, and collective effort.
Business leaders must cultivate a culture of reciprocity to enhance social capital and drive success. This involves nurturing trust through transparency and ethical behaviour, balancing control with empowerment, making personal sacrifices for the greater good, and fostering collective effort. Embedding meaningful rituals and traditions within the organisation reinforces core values and creates a strong sense of community. Successful leaders understand that transparency and ethical behaviour build and maintain trust. Balancing control with empowerment ensures employees feel both guided and valued. Making personal sacrifices demonstrates a leader's commitment to the team's success whilst fostering collective effort, aligning team goals and encouraging collaboration. Symbolic reciprocity involves creating practices/rituals reinforcing the organisation's culture, deepening social connections and strengthening the community.
To foster high performance in your organisation, embrace the principles of reciprocity, underpinned by respect, and ethical behavior. Foster trust, balance control, and embed meaningful rituals to build a cohesive and motivated team aligned with your organisation’s purpose and values.
References
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, Putnam, 2000
Foundations of Social Theory, Coleman, 1990
Heroes: The myths of the Ancient Greek heroes retold (Stephen Fry's Greek Myths, 2), Fry, 2018
Reciprocity, Becker, 1986
The Art of Strategy – A Game Theorist′s Guide to Success in Business and Life, Dixit & Nalebuff, 2008
The Forms of Capital. In: Richardson, J. (Ed.), Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education, Bourdieu, 1986
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, Haidt, 2012
Symbolic Reciprocity, Substack, Buckner, 2022
Footnote
[1] Known as the 'marsh dweller,' Fenrir embodies chaos and impending doom. He represents the lurking threats that can strike when least expected, symbolising the need for constant vigilance in leadership.
[2] Tyr, the god of war and justice, symbolises the bravery and sacrifice necessary to maintain order.
[3] Chains and fetters represent society's efforts to constrain dangerous forces. Fenrir breaking them illustrates the futility of superficial measures in controlling deep-seated threats.
[4] Crafted from six impossible things, Gleipnir symbolises the power of subtlety and ingenuity over brute force.
[5] The sword holding Fenrir's jaws apart is a stark image of control, reminding us that underlying threats can remain and fester even when order is restored.
[6] Fenrir breaking free symbolises the temporary nature of any solution to control chaos and the inevitability of entropy. It emphasises the need for vigilance.
[7] Fenrir's battle with Odin symbolises the clash between chaos and order, with his victory signifying the triumph of destruction. Vidar's act of revenge, killing Fenrir, represents the restoration of order, illustrating the enduring struggle and resilience needed to overcome chaos.
[8] The magical shoe symbolises the importance of preparedness. It is a reminder that foresight is necessary to counteract overwhelming threats.
[9] The entire story underscores the cyclical nature of destruction and renewal. It teaches leaders that with every end comes a new beginning, and the renewal process is integral to growth and progress.
[10] My article 'Harnessing Hydras: Wisdom from Myth' introduces Hercules and the myth of the Twelve Labours. The piece covered the stories of Hercules at the crossroads and the battle with the Lernaean Hydra.
[11] The Titans were a race of powerful deities in Greek mythology, preceding the Olympian gods. Born from Uranus (Sky) and Gaia (Earth), they ruled during the legendary Golden Age.
[12] Zeus punished Atlas for his role in the Titanomachy, a war where the Olympian gods overthrew the tyrannical rule of Cronus and the Titans. In the Titanomachy, the Titan Prometheus sided with the Olympians.
[13] Ladon, the dragon, is the guardian of the apples and the danger any thief would need to bypass. As the father of the Hesperides, Atlas was not viewed as a threat by Ladon.
[14] 'Tit for Tat' is introduced in more detail in the article "Sir Gawain and the Infinite Game".
[15] In this exchange, Hercules resorts to trickery, mirroring Atlas' deceit with his own. The true moral challenge, however, lies in Hercules responding to Atlas' deceit with principled honesty. Hercules fails in this regard, showcasing the difficulty of always adhering to the truth.
[16] The symbolism reinforces respect, emphasising respect for the sacred and spiritual purity.
[17] The ceremonies are Keeping of the Soul, Naming, Healing, Adoption, Marriage, Vision Quest, and Sun Dance.
[18] A white buffalo is rare. In Native American tradition, it has deep spiritual significance and is considered a symbol of hope, renewal and unity. As such, it symbolises the presence of the Great Spirit and the fulfilment of prophecy.
[19] The number four is sacred in Native American culture — four cardinal points, four seasons, etc. Four colours symbolise the diversity of humanity. Whilst not anthropological, the multiple colours represent the Lakota's belief in harmony, respect for, and interconnectedness of all cultures.