Taking a step back

Many a times, especially is one is in position of leadership, it becomes inevitable that they are surrounded by “yes men” almost throughout each waking moment. These followers knows that they need to tread carefully to ensure their survival and importance in that inner circle.

Hence, they offer nothing more than assurances of “how great” their leader is. It’s very much like an emperor who’s surrounded either by eunuchs that sing their praises without reserve and concubines that struggle for special favours.

Hence, if one recalls, China’s Empress Dowager also surrounded herself likewise to the detriment of the affairs of the state. The same also applied to the Romanovs, Loiuse 16th and the list goes on. They have all “misread” the affairs of their subjects due to advisors that convey nothing more than sweet nothings.

So for the leader who may still have a sense of true leadership, they will always tell themselves to take a step back from everyone surrounding them to take a closer and more personal look… without the presence or interference of hordes of advisors about.

They will listen also to the voices of one or two of their advisors that have voiced dissent, where what were said may have caused them to feel hurt or insulted. Nonetheless, true leaders always know that only real friends will tell them painful realities to their face.

Therefore, that time alone to reflect on the day’s happening and ponder in depth of the affairs of the state is crucial to their very survival.