A former German colleague once described me using a rather poetic word: “Narrenfreiheit.” Well, that’s a tricky word to translate. Essentially, it refers to a jester’s unique freedom, meaning saying and doing things others wouldn’t dare.
They noticed I have a knack for speaking my mind. I do this without too much fear of the consequences. Don’t worry, I mostly keep it polite. Since I’ve heard similar remarks before, I decided to dig deeper into this theory. What I found? The perfect profile of a top-tier communicator.
The Jester: The Medieval Information Hub
The term “Narrenfreiheit” goes back to the original court jesters—the “Narren” of world history. Wherever there was a royal court, you’d find a jester. Cleopatra probably had one. So did every self-respecting ruler after her. At first glance, jesters were the clowns of the medieval world—oddly dressed, cracking jokes, and dancing about. But their role was far more strategic.
Monarchs weren’t always told the truth (shocking, I know). Court life was a snake pit of intrigue, and one wrong word could mean losing your head—literally. The jester, however, was a rare exception. They were outsiders, yet trusted by all, and as such, the real insiders. Huh? Let me explain. Because a fool, by definition, had no political ambitions. They were free to observe, listen, and—crucially—speak the truth in a way no one else could. This made them an essential go-between, a medieval PR guru with bells on their hat.
The Jester’s True Talent
Despite their often ridiculous outfit, jesters were master communicators. They earned their “Narrenfreiheit” through one simple rule: never break trust. That’s no small feat. In a world where power corrupts, jesters remained loyal, neutral, and remarkably influential. They played the fool but were, in reality, the ultimate insiders. They knew exactly when to speak. They understood how to say it. They recognized who needed to hear it.
Modern-Day Jestering (Or the Lack Thereof)
Fast forward to now. The old-school court jester is totally gone, swapped out for advisors, spin doctors, and media manipulators. Some people these days might say they’re all about “Narrenfreiheit.” But let’s be real—they don’t have the kind of trust that made jesters so influential. In today’s world, it is all about “Like and be liked, no matter what.” Fitting in is the primary goal. Real connections are getting lost along the way.
That’s why I argue for the return of the corporate jester. This is a communication specialist who values trust over trends. They prioritize connection over clicks and honesty over hype.
The Modern Jester’s Job Description
A modern jester is, first and foremost, a storyteller. But they’re also a listener, tuned in to all the right voices. They’re fluent in different cultures, loyal yet neutral, and capable of building bridges where others see walls. They don’t care about popularity—only credibility and trust count. And every now and then, when the moment is right, they might even crack a joke or dance a little.
As Danny Kaye famously said in The Court Jester: “It’s a secret, Sire. That has never been told.” And with that, I’ll leave you to ponder… but don’t tell anyone.
(For a visual reference, check out Danny Kaye’s legendary jester performance: The Court Jester.)
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