The Message of LeadershipSample

LITTLE THINGS ADD UP

"Knowledge is power. (Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est)"
-Sir Francis Bacon

Rome—the very name evokes images of empires and an atmosphere of greatness. One of her generals, Quintus Sertorius, found himself far from home in Spain with a vast territory to defend and an army composed almost entirely of undisciplined conscripts. He had no interest in defeat, so he called them together to teach them an important lesson on what it would take to be a successful army.

He brought out the most physically impressive warrior in his ranks and also the smallest and least conspicuous soldier. In front of the great warrior he placed a small scraggly pony and in front of the smaller soldier he placed a mighty war horse. He then gave each the task of pulling out the horse’s tail, but by two very different methods. The stout soldier was instructed to pull off the tail in one clump while the small soldier was told to do so one hair at a time. You can guess the outcome. It was the weaker soldier who triumphed over the war horse and the mighty soldier who failed despite all his apparent advantages. A horse’s tail is strong because of its many strands.

A wise leader will succeed by attending to the many seemingly small principles for life’s success offered by God. These principles will be like the multitude of strands on the horse’s tail making it impervious to being overpowered by brute force. A foolish person relies on individual gifts and personal strength; however, this is the epitome of weakness, because there is no unity of purpose supporting his efforts. Therefore, he stands alone. Leadership finds its strength by pulling together the many hairs of the horse’s tail.

Essential Insight 2: Don't look merely to your natural gifts, but focus your energy on marshaling all available resources.