More recently, I've been obsessed with Game of Thrones, mostly because its not the usual medieval times story and its nothing like Lord of the Rings where things finally come to a happy ending. In fact, its back-stabbing, political, primate story is so close to life, that I had to pen these lessons:
- “Different roads sometimes lead to the same castle.”
Success isn't a straight line. Most people think that when their dream job didn't come through or their plan didn't go as thought out, its all over and they are failures and hold on to it forever. But we must realize that there are many ways to reach goals and aspirations. Follow your values and let them guide you towards your goals. Build the road that leads you to your castle. - “Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it.”Accept your shortcomings. No one is perfect. If you accept your problems and learn from them, you will be stronger. If you have failed in the past, use your failures as a shield and tell everyone about them and how you are using your 'failure shield' to make better decisions.
- “When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives.”Build your tribe. Most successful people have got to where they are not strictly by themselves. Some of the most important aspects of your life are group / team environments and if you can’t work with other people effectively, you won’t make it very far. Success is rarely, if ever a unilateral effort.
- “A lord must learn that sometimes words can accomplish what swords cannot.”
A true leader understands what it is to negotiate without using counter-tactics that have a negative impact on someone else. The ability to convince someone with your words is an incredible skill and can save money and time, two critical things that are worth saving. - “You can't hammer tin into iron, no matter how hard you beat it, but that doesn't mean it's useless.”
Unless you're an alchemist, you're not going to be able to turn tin into iron. Tools we use everyday are just like that. Understanding the tools and resources you have and applying them to the right things is critical for success. - “A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is.”
Every leader in an organization must understand what it is to execute a strategy. Without having a full understanding of how to execute a strategy, leaders might be setting unrealistic expectations for people on the front lines since the plans weren't executable to begin with(on execution). - “Can a man still be brave if he's afraid? ...Yes, that is the only time a man can be brave"
To say that you don't fear anything is being ignorant. If you can't accept that you fear your boss, a team member, losing someone close, etc., you'll never reach the true goal of self-actualization. Be afraid and be brave.
Game of Thrones season 2 is on now. Make sure you're taking notes.
