A big firm; some say, can be compared to a colony of ants caught on a log which is floating in a stream. Now even as the log approaches the dreaded waterfall; the ants keep arguing among themselves as to, who is to pilot the log…………
Someone else told me that a start-up venture is like a candle, which is ignited at birth by the sparks of innovation; shedding its dim light on the nearby people. Some candles transfigure into bonfires others fade away. But if the spark lives on from one candle to the other; it is as effective as a bonfire, maybe even more so.
Both these analogies are missing something. Something that is so trivial, yet so essential – A Prophetic Leader who can see the bigger picture. He can estimate the distance between the log and the waterfall. If he is the spark; he will judiciously light the minimum number of candles required to illuminate the room, so that no one is left in the dark.
The leader I speak of is a person affable in his conversation, generous in his temper, immovable from what he has resolved to do. He who doesn’t turn haughty and imperious in prosperity, nor does adversity sinks his determination. If ever he is bound to show more spirit than ordinary, it is when he is wronged and the world is frowning upon him. He never embraces the extremes of servitude or pride. Neither does he abuse a worm, nor does he cringe to a wad of gold.
Confucius really nails this issue in this quote :
There are three marks of a superior man : Being virtuous , he is free from anxiety ; being wise , he is free from perplexity; being brave , he is free from fear………..[/i]