Have you ever wondered what it means to lead like an Olympian god?
A client recently posed the question to me--but with trepidation: the words reminded him of obnoxious, overlord-like “masters of the universe” from media and real life. These individuals include certain corporate titans, mega-wealthy entrepreneurs, entitled dictators, and other so-called leaders who seem to deem themselves gods, treating others and, in extreme cases, entire societies, as mere playthings, ripe for at-will abuse. As an emerging leader, he felt that these behaviors represent an inappropriate route to take.
This is an excellent question because of common misunderstandings about the nuances of being a leadership “god”, and because many attorneys in leadership positions rightfully want to avoid that “stigma” of thinking and acting as if they are God. Who wants to be labeled as having the “God complex”?
I beg to differ. Leaving aside your religious beliefs (which do not come into play here), reaching for your “inner god” means using all of your inner power for good. To help others.
If you ask most people what they associate “power” with from the media, inevitably, many will insert “abuse of” before it. Yes, it is not hard to find examples of “abuse of power,” but we are overlooking all the positive ones that do not make headlines but nonetheless have a true and lasting impact.
Channeling your hidden Olympian god and tapping into your inner strength is a means to use your full unknown potential to make a positive difference in the world!
In Greek myths, the Olympians were the universe's leaders. But they didn't just rule through domination. To be an Olympian, you had to be much, much more.
For instance, you:
⚡️had to understand the purpose of your role (such as being the God of Wine), then fully 𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚 in it. This, in turn, inspired the minor gods, nymphs, and other spirits to support your mission.
⚡️encouraged 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮, both within and around you. For instance, the Olympians built their home -- the center of a vast business enterprise -- where none had been before. They repeatedly innovated, inventing everything from musical instruments to robots.
⚡️needed to build 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 inside yourself and others. When the towering monster Typhon threatened to overthrow Zeus, the greatest of the gods, Zeus was so scared that he fled to Egypt. But one of his C-Suiters -- the goddess of wisdom -- rallied Zeus and his team, rebuilding their inner strength and reminding Zeus that his gifts, like the thunderbolt, could destroy Typhon forever.
The takeaway: striving to “lead like a god” is not an act of narcissism. It does not automatically imply abuse of power. It will not turn you into Sauron. If you truly understand what “leading like a god” is, you can be the sort of leader who inspires connection, creativity, and resilience in your team, at your firm, and in your life.
Reach out to me if you want to discuss more on becoming a leadership Olympian.
I want your future to be EPIC!
I'm Scott Mason, The Myth Slayer. I am an attorney and former C-Suite executive, coach, speaker, podcaster, and Master of the Mythic. I graduated from Columbia Law School and have spent years drawing on the full depth of a background spanning the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to provide lawyers feeling stuck or stagnant in their careers or as leaders with a unique (and fun!) system to help them live a life that's epic.
Click here to discover more about me, my mission, and how it can help you.
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