A thousand years ago, in a great warrior-fighting temple in the Far East, twelve masters taught different crafts. One day, a student walked alongside one of the masters and asked, “Teacher, I want to learn more about leadership. How does one take leadership?”
The teacher replied, “You ask a wise question, and I am encouraged by your curiosity. It speaks to your developing character that you seek to understand.”
“The first thing to know about leadership is that it is not as difficult to take as you might think. If you wish, you could gather frightened, ignorant people, say something intelligent, and they will gravitate toward you for guidance. If you lack integrity, you could manipulate them, even convincing them to attack the village next door to take their women and horses. And they would likely follow you. But if you are the kind of person who would allow power to corrupt you, then I will never teach you.”
The teacher continued, “In all great philosophies, you will find teachings about the nature of the universe, consciousness, and human character—their strengths and flaws. These philosophies emphasize cultivating virtues while diminishing weaknesses. Leadership is a critical topic because it is the leaders of humanity who have led people astray. One person alone struggles to create devastation; it takes a leader to gather followers who will execute their commands.
“So, the first thing you must study is your own character. Are you consumed by addictions? Do you struggle with anxiety? Do you harbor resentment? Are you chasing material wealth, or are you trying to build your ego? Do you feel your self-esteem is damaged? Do you believe that status, riches, or a beautiful partner will bring you respect? Do you feel disrespected? These are crucial questions because they reveal your motivations as a leader. Having inner struggles is not the problem—being unaware of them is. Through introspection, writing, and conversation, you must learn to understand yourself and work on your flaws.
“The true purpose of leadership is to guide your group—whether a platoon, students, or children—toward something productive and life-affirming, where no harm is done. This is the type of leadership that will elevate human consciousness beyond violence and selfish desires. Humanity must eventually return to smaller, tighter communities. Large societies are fragile when they lack deep family bonds and a commitment to nonviolence. History is filled with leaders—many of them once-abused children—who destroyed millions of lives. Bad leadership destroys life.
“Now, let’s talk about practical leadership. Here in the temple, if you wish to be a leader, your first role should be the lowest one available—scrubbing floors, cleaning bathrooms. Master that task completely, so well that you could teach it to others. Because if you can teach a skill, you are already practicing leadership. Once you master one task, move to a higher one. Observe, take notes, ask questions, and engage with your work. Without engagement, there is no mastery.
“Consider the swordsman. From the age of three, he picks up a sword, too heavy for him at first. By ten, his skill surpasses that of a man five times his size who has never trained. By eighteen, he is deadly. By thirty, he has reached his peak. If he went further, lightning would shoot from his eyes. His entire life is devoted to one craft. But what about the mastery of ordinary, mundane duties?
“To become a leader, study the environment in which you wish to lead. Understand its structure, its mechanisms, its rhythms. Learn to communicate effectively. Stay close to existing leaders and learn from them. Good leaders do not reveal everything at once; they observe and choose who they mentor. Trust is built over time—it cannot be forced. Your goal should be to understand your leaders, earn their trust, and never deceive them. Leadership is not about manipulation; it is about establishing genuine trust.
“If you wish to lead, do not hesitate. Be compassionate. Give direct orders. Be firm but never cruel. Show your people that you are willing to do the work yourself. Understand your team’s needs—what do they desire? Praise, fair wages, a warm blanket, clean water, victories. If you recognize and provide for these needs, you align them with the mission. Leadership is a relationship, not a dictatorship.
- “There are countless lessons in leadership, and they cannot all be learned in one teaching. But here are five fundamental takeaways:
- Continue to develop yourself.
- Study the environment in which you wish to lead. Master every task you undertake.
- Communicate effectively with those above and below you.
- Assume leadership with humility.
-
“A true leader understands their organization. If the system is corrupt, corrupt leadership will thrive. If the system is benevolent, those who do harm will not last. Your mission as a leader is to elevate those around you, not to exploit them. Lead wisely.”