The 3 Northern Principles

I have been asking myself about the real meaning of the word “leadership” for a very long time now, especially now when almost all the world leaders seems to be under enemy fire. Everybody feels the need to be guided towards the light, far away from fear, but are the institutions and their leaders able to regain lost integrity?
Wallace’s warning resounds like a timeless cliché in our daily routines and in many companies:

“You’re so concerned with squabbling for the scraps from Longshank’s table that you’ve missed your God-given right to something better. There is a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom”
At last! We have a definition of leadership worth noting: it exists to guarantee it’s people freedom, wellbeing and support. And not, as many believe, to use the people in order to guarantee a position. What kind of leader does this?

We are watching footage from “Braveheart”, a film set in medieval times and at the same time we are watching Italy in the 21st century, it is as if we are watching the same film. Puppet leaders who will not vacate their seats even if there is a bomb under it, corrupt followers trying to get positions by offering bribes, and institutions that exist on paper so that their managers and their “protégés” can have an easy life without having to sweat for it.

But all these “noblemen” have a lot to lose: houses, castles and lands. “Now tell me, what does that mean to be noble?” – asks Wallace – “Your title gives you claim to the throne of our country, but men don’t follow titles, they follow courage. Now our people know you. Noble, and common, they respect you. And if you would just lead them to freedom, they’d follow you. And so would I”

In this second medieval period in which we are living, what presents itself on the horizon is an important choice of responsibility, for all those in a position of power. If that position was not guaranteeing long-term freedom and wellbeing to the people, a true leader would fight to obtain it and if unsuccessful, his last choices would be honor and dignity. He would stand down as a form of protest, against a system that is contrary to his sane principles, which stand undisputed for thousands of years: respect, ethics and integrity.

Stephen Covey says “During the course of history, every time humanity has remained faithful to these principles the reward has been prosperity and evolution, on the contrary, humanity would be heading towards self-destruction ”

There is no mystery. No conspiracy to damage someone.
Unfortunately, we are bearing the effects of a slow and ruthless degeneration, which started with the “leaders” and has spread among its people. Nobody can abdicate from being “misaligned” with the principles of the North or from bearing the “misalignment” of the others.
If it were not the case, we would live a serene life in all aspects (and if you are one these people, I totally admire you).

Without thinking about the others, if we all tried to live by respecting these 3 simple rules, there would be no contradiction. In summary, the “apotheosis” of all the possible solutions for humanity to flourish again:

1) Gather what you sow (If you have planted vey little/badly, admit your responsibility and accept the consequences; pull your sleeves up and try again)
2) Treat others as you would like to be treated (Do not do to others what you do not want to receive)

3) Actions speak louder than words (You cannot pretend to be sincere for very long. You will get caught out in the end. If you have created a problem with your actions, you will not solve it with words or promises, but will facts)

We are all leaders: for our families, in front of clients, colleagues or the community. Then why do we exist? To guarantee what?

Serenity, love, continuity?

Whatever the answer is, it is part of your mission in life and the best blessing is to wish you every success even if you remain close to the spirit of service for which you were born.
This might save the world, billions of people serving other people, by choice and not by position.

“… and in case I don’t see ya…

good afternoon, good evening and good night!”…

(The Truman Show)

Virginio