I have chosen a story entitled, “This, too, shall pass away,” from Watson’s (1951, pp. 74-78) anthology. This story explores the transient nature of all of life’s experiences. It holds a key lesson that the experiences we all undergo in life, whether pleasant or unpleasant, would eventually fade away. How deep!

The burden of having to constantly actualize corporate goals and organizational objectives as a leader could be enormous. History is replete with examples of leaders that suffered tremendous social, emotional, physical, financial pain, as a result of this burden. Unsurprisingly, this burden becomes more pronounced when the leader in question is also the founder of the organization because, for such leaders like myself, it becomes extremely personal that our organization does not go into extinction. The lesson from Watson’s (1951) anthology, could help leaders better appreciate the fact that life’s experiences are meant to come and pass away. In applying this lesson, a leader could find the courage and strength to face adversity knowing that eventually, like all else, the adversity would eventually pass away.

In addition to the above, in my leadership context, I also realize the importance of staying focused even in moments of prosperity or bliss; like adversity, such moments too shall pass away. In conclusion, I am further strengthened in my resolve to remain happy and enjoy every moment I experience in my leadership context, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant; after all, they are just events which like life itself as we know it, too, shall pass away.

References

Watson, L.E (1953). Light from many lamps. Simon and Schuster Inc.