Three Minute Leadership: The Elephant Keeps Walking

To:  The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning

A wise teacher from India shared this insight: The elephant keeps walking as the dogs keep barking. It is a powerful metaphor for great leaders as they strive to take themselves, their people and their organizations, as Jim Collins says, from “good to great” – challenging the status quo to find what can be, stretching people to go beyond what they believe are their limits and never being satisfied with ‘what is’ and to look always to ‘what can be.’ Their march is steadfast and measured – filled with purpose and direction.

One of the great challenges on their journey from good to great is rekindling the fire of those who have plateaued in their success, and have been tempted, and some succumbed, to believe that good is good enough.  For them, stretching beyond their current success is a drudgery. Change, once a key element to their great achievements and name, has now become an impediment to their progress,  Their words and actions reflect an audible resistance to what is needed to move themselves and their organizations to higher levels of growth and success.

Albert Schweitzer, physician and philosopher, wrote: “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.”  It is the great leaders who provide the fire to rekindle these individuals. It is found not in the extraordinary results that they accomplish, but in their servant leadership – their deep sense of caring for those for whom they care that  they want them to realize and fulfill their greatest potential.  “We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Schweitzer wrote. And we are. Great leaders remember the words for A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the Pooh:

“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh?” he whispered.
“Yes, Piglet?”
“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand. “I just wanted to be sure of you.” 

For great leaders, it is about a deep, selfless giving and caring – to help others become more than they ever dreamed they could be… and more… so much more.

Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!

Mike

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