Turn an obstacle into an opportunity

A story tells of an ancient time when a king placed a boulder on a roadway. He hid and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. 

 

Wealthy merchants walked around it. Many blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but no one moved the boulder.

 

Then, a peasant carrying a load of vegetables approached the boulder. He laid down his burden and after pushing and straining, he moved the boulder to the side of the road. As he picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road. The purse contained gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. 

 

The peasant learned what many never understood. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one’s condition.

 

What do you do with the boulders and challenges you find on your road? How do you handle adversity? What are the consequences of your decisions? 

 

You can ignore them

Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants first approached the boulder in the road. Being people of wealth and means, you would think that if they couldn’t move the boulder themselves, at the least, they could pay someone to do it for them. The first group left the boulder right where it was, opting not to get involved or be bothered. Many complained and blamed the king for the poor road conditions.

 

The wealthy merchants represent self-absorbed leaders who only think of themselves. They leave the problem to someone else.

 

Leaders, remember that your actions today can bear consequences for others tomorrow. You can leave a clear path for others or leave obstacles you find for others to deal with later.

 

You can do the heavy lifting and reap the reward

The peasant comes down the road and finds the same boulder blocking his path. He works hard and moves the boulder.

 

The peasant in the story represents a servant leadership mindset. He knows that it is in his best interest to move the boulder for his own passage and for those coming behind him. 

 

In his book, High Road Leadership, John Maxwell writes, “When you do what’s right, you’re not only taking the high road with others. You are taking the high road with yourself.” 

 

The happy ending to the story is that the king left a note and a purse filled with gold coins – the reward for the person who moved the boulder from the road. 

 

While the servant leadership mindset is not about what you get in return for your actions, it demonstrates that good things come to those who put others first. When you take the high road, you make the road better for everyone.