Book excerpt: The world of work can be a fulfilling journey or a stressful ordeal. While work practices and requirements evolve over time, the pressures of managing workplace relationships remain constant. In our age of instant access, senior leaders need the reassurance of sound management practices more than ever. Timeless principles of relationship management, honed over millennia, remain crucial today and should not be overlooked. The stories in Fairy Tales and Fables were originally crafted to guide promising young employees as they embarked on their professional journeys. Now presented as a complete collection, these tales aim to help managers navigate the complexities of workplace relationships, transforming potential nightmares into rewarding experiences. The author hopes readers will find both entertainment and valuable advice within these pages.