Leaders – One Important Key to a Happy Life – Story

Leadership Story – Who are you feeding?

I recently read, “The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die,” by John Izzo. I would highly recommend it! You can get it here.

Izzo asks the questions, “If today were your last day on Earth, what would you change about your life?” What would you hold on to? What would you let go? He teaches five life changing lessons formulated from interviews with over 200 people ranging in age from 60-106 who others identified as having found happiness and meaning in life. It is a very interesting and inspiring read.

One of the stories he shares in the book I found to be very powerful. It has meaning and application to each person who has ever lived. But I think it also has particular application to leaders. It comes from a Navajo tradition, and I believe that every one of us should take the time to ponder its simple, but powerful meaning.

An old Navajo told his grandson that sometimes he feels there is a fight that is going on inside him. He said it is a fight between two wolves:

One wolf is evil. It is the wolf of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, superiority, fear of healing my body and mind, fear of succeeding, fear of exploring what has been said by others to be the truth, fear of walking in others’ moccasins and seeing glimpses of their reality through their eyes and heart, using empty excuses that my heart knows are false.

The other wolf is good. It is the wolf of joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, caring for those who have helped me even though their efforts have not always been perfect, the willingness to forgive myself and others, and realizing that my destiny is in my hands.

The grandson throught about it and asked: “But grandfather, which wolf wins?

His grandfather replied: “The wolf that I choose to feed.”

My two questions for you are: 1) Who are you feeding? and 2) Who are you encouraging those you lead to feed?