The one where I learnt from Shakespeare and tragic flaws

Ashni Biyani, Founder, Think9 Consumer

I recently studied William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. With a passionate teacher and a group of pursuers, we looked at the play and had many conversations on the character of the tragic hero- Hamlet. Through the play Hamlet is tasked to avenge his father’s murder by his Uncle Claudius. Not only has he murdered his father but is also now married to his mother Gertrude. Despite having the evidence that his uncle has taken his father’s life and the throne of Denmark, Hamlet is reluctant to act. He’s consumed by the thought but falls short of the action. Self-destruction follows, the relationship with his mother turns complex and many unfortunate events follows including the death of his lover Ophelia after the erroneous murder of her father Polonius.

Shakespearean tragedies often revolve around the concept of the tragic flaw, which is a character trait that leads to the downfall of the protagonist. It is often a failing that one may identify but find hard to overcome. Hamlet’s tragic flaw was his indecision. Hamlet is a brilliant, young , introspective, educated intelligent man- however he over thinks and over analyses everything. Unable to seize the moment, he cause great harm to all around him and puts the kingdom in a disarray resulting in a tragic end that takes everyone down.

As entrepreneurs, we are heroes of a story. We entrepreneurs tell stories through ventures that we build, the people that we work with and the walk that we walk. We sell dreams, hopes, and live our values loud aloud through organizations and businesses that we build. Quite heroically we often put our ventures above all else, display courage, resilience and above all undeterred commitment. Many heroes undergo personal growth and transformation on their journey. Time and experience help us evolve to become better version of ourselves. But we are also human and have flaws. Some flaws that we learn and outgrow and some that remain unconquered. Perhaps we are also not spared from the tragic flaw. Something within us that has the potential to get us and cause our undoing.

The greatest of the great businessmen, innovators and visionaries have been studied for their tragic flaws. Steve Jobs who built Apple, is often critiqued for ignoring himself, his own health, and his family. Elon Musk is known to be impulsive creating huge controversies as he revolutionizes the future of space explorations, mobility, payments, communications, artificial intelligence etc.

Thinking of and understanding one’s potential flaws and weaknesses is critical for all business leaders. Acknowledging ones thinking patterns and building a strong feedback mechanism within the organization and well-wishers beyond can enable us leaders to remain sensitive and prevent catastrophic failures. My father Kishore Biyani believes his tragic flaw is entrusting too easily. I think mine is overthinking! What is yours…?