To be known as "The Peter Pan of..." is a double-edged sword of a nickname. Sometimes it means "brilliantly and eternally youthful" and at others reads as "embarrassingly 'yoof-obsessed' and still hanging around after all these years without getting the hint."No matter, the real Peter Pan (and he is real, obviously) is an ideal business guru. One who cajoles, convinces and stimulates others, leads by example and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty at the sharp end of a crisis. As a mentor, he can take any young person and mould them into a fearless and vital member of the team.
Socially aware, Peter sources his workforce from the homeless youth, and gives them food, lodging, a strong sense of community and a reason to get up in the morning. The work is dangerous, however. Battling pirates and crocodiles is not usually a career path open to the under-16s but, as his company is based offshore, Peter seems to circumvent the usual regulatory interference.
Dress code is something that is key to Peter's success. In a nod to a major influence, Robin Hood, Mr Pan sports a green, tunic-based outfit with pixie boots and a jaunty hat, which makes him feel like an outlaw. And certainly makes him stand out from the crowd of suits in the office. Since he loves to fly and isn't afraid of confrontation he's perfect for that awkward business trip and although brandishing a small sword in the boardroom isn't normal practice, it certainly gets results.
His tendency to remain eternally youthful can be grating though. He can't understand why older colleagues refuse to join him on some crazy after-work adventure on a Tuesday night, and instead prefer to go home to see their families. Deep down he's lonely, with his only constant companion a six-inch tall fairy — and he's not very nice to her sometimes. But as a leader he inspires total loyalty and lets young people believe they can overcome almost any odds. And for that we should keep the boardroom door, and the nursery window, open.
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