The Art of Sensible Leadership: Embracing Cyclicality and Personal Preference

The Art of Sensible Leadership: Embracing Cyclicality and Personal Preference

In the realm of business leadership, there is a remarkable quality possessed by those with a keen sense for success. These individuals prioritize personal preference and the ability to captivate an audience with their storytelling prowess. It is an intriguing notion that goes beyond simply determining what is good or bad for a company. Instead, the key lies in the inclination towards one's own likes and dislikes.

Interestingly, this notion aligns with the concept of cyclicality. As the saying goes, "everything is cyclical." This idea, reminiscent of Taoism, highlights the natural ebb and flow of life. Cyclicality encompasses the understanding that change is an inherent part of existence and that it does not always require external forces to push us in a new direction.

In the context of business, cyclicality means that the act of achieving success can, paradoxically, lead to a decline without any external interference. History has taught us that victory rarely leads to the anticipated outcome of lasting peace. Instead, it often plants the seeds of vindication, vengeance, and fresh rivalries. The larger the victory, the greater the likelihood of future conflicts. This pattern is evident in global events, such as World War I leading to World War II and the subsequent Cold War, which eventually resulted in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Similarly, in the corporate world, success can be a double-edged sword. The larger and more successful a company becomes, the more challenging it is to sustain that success. The very nature of growth and achievement sets the stage for decline and loss. It is an inevitable cycle. As Mark Twain famously said, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes."

One cannot help but draw parallels between the cyclicality of global events and the dynamics within companies. Just as victory breeds resentment and challenges, successful businesses often face the ire of others. The rapper Drake astutely observed that people are more drawn to those who are actively pursuing their dreams rather than those who have already achieved them. Success becomes a target for envy and animosity.

William Vanderbilt once remarked that having substantial wealth is as detrimental to ambition as cocaine is to morality. This sentiment highlights the danger of becoming complacent after achieving one's dreams. Once a dream is realized, it becomes the new baseline, and the cycle begins anew. The constant oscillation between inadequacy, hard work, and elation defines the journey of every ambitious individual.