It was a moving speech not everyone can or should do. The other night, when former US President William Jefferson Clinton (I call him Bill:p) made the case for why Barack Obama should be the next president of the United States of America, he uttered what I think are the most powerful words that should reverberate beyond the boundaries of American soil and into the minds of every individual the world over. He said:
“People the world over have always been impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power”
I heard that not in the political context but in the human context. Looking back at our lives, many of us have been consumed by the strong desire to gain power. The promotion at work, the desire to be a leader of an organization, the consistent and persistent wanting to be in-charge – all of these show our desire for power whether we admit it or not. One of the best selling books in the world, 48 Laws of Power
even teaches you exactly how you can achieve power. Soon enough you’ll have it. Soon enough you’ll flaunt it. The irony is as soon as you start flaunting your power, it will start to diminish.
That is why setting an example is far more superior, far more powerful. On the human level, we see how by helping other people we ultimately gain the leverage to do more. Mother Theresa is even “weak” in physical terms but no one can argue that she is strong in every way. Mahatma Gandhi did not use any ammunition when he helped India gain its Independence. The parent, teacher, brother, friend whom we idolize and usually follow are neither fierce nor controlling. We follow them because they set an example. Makes perfect sense.
Maybe I should give Bill a call and thank him for his inspiring message. Whatchatink?
“People the world over have always been impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power”
I heard that not in the political context but in the human context. Looking back at our lives, many of us have been consumed by the strong desire to gain power. The promotion at work, the desire to be a leader of an organization, the consistent and persistent wanting to be in-charge – all of these show our desire for power whether we admit it or not. One of the best selling books in the world, 48 Laws of Power
even teaches you exactly how you can achieve power. Soon enough you’ll have it. Soon enough you’ll flaunt it. The irony is as soon as you start flaunting your power, it will start to diminish.That is why setting an example is far more superior, far more powerful. On the human level, we see how by helping other people we ultimately gain the leverage to do more. Mother Theresa is even “weak” in physical terms but no one can argue that she is strong in every way. Mahatma Gandhi did not use any ammunition when he helped India gain its Independence. The parent, teacher, brother, friend whom we idolize and usually follow are neither fierce nor controlling. We follow them because they set an example. Makes perfect sense.
Maybe I should give Bill a call and thank him for his inspiring message. Whatchatink?
