To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
In their book, Turning Dreams into Success, Larry and Bunny Holman interview Tori Murden, adventurer, who is best-known for being the first woman to have crossed the Atlantic alone by rowboat. Her life is not defined by labels or positions, but by the wide range of challenges and pursuits that “woven together, create a rich tapestry of both personal adventure and public service.” Her life is about discovery – of the world and herself. One of the questions the Holmans posed to Murden was: “For some of those whose glass is half empty, things just never seem to be fair. When things aren’t fair, how do you hang on to dreams? How level can we make the playing field?” She responded:
“Mountaineering reminds me of the importance of the human equation. In the back country, ability and need find a balance: to each, according to her needs; from each, according to her ability. In this expedition equation, the superior becomes the servant of all. One who can carry more does carry more.
“In the expedition paradigm, if the poor or the ignorant or the weak are slowing our progress toward a higher plain, we must assist their climb by clearing a trail. Ignoring their difficulties will only leave them incapacitated by poverty, ignorance and despair.
“In the back country, the playing field gets leveled, because the superior becomes that servant. The person who’s physically or intellectually weaker get the care he needs. In ‘civilized’ society, we’re not always so good about that – ‘I’m big and strong and I’m going to make as much money as I can and to heck with the rest of the world.’”
We hear an extraordinary spirit of servant leadership in her words: “The dream is not always about achieving things, but about the opportunities one can create for others.” Remember the expedition paradigm this week in your business and personal lives, seeing clearly the balance of needs and skill that we may serve effectively and well and, together, achieve a common purpose.
Have a beautiful day and a fantastic week!!!
Mike