Come! To The Path of True Leadership!

(image source: google)

According to the legends, King Arthur achieved quite a bit in one lifetime. He, established a kingdom, ruled his castle, Camelot and brought peace and order to the land based on law, justice, and morality. He founded an order known as the Knights of the Round Table where in all knights are seated as equals around the table, symbolizing equality, unity, and oneness.

King Arthur was Honest, in that he displayed sincerity, integrity, and candor in his actions. Intelligent, because he read and studied. Courageous, because he had the perseverance to accomplish a goal, regardless of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Imaginative because he adapted by making timely and appropriate changes in his thinking, plans, and methods. Finally, Inspiring, because through demonstrating confidence, he inspired his knights and those in his Kingdom to reach for new heights. I would add as a separate category that Arthur led from the front.

Arthurian literature is filled with rich metaphors regarding the nature of ethics, honour and humanity. Embodying the ideals of bravery, courtesy and loyalty, King Arthur is perhaps the most influential secular role model in Western philosophy.

• Leadership beside each other
• Collaborative conversations
• Equal standing at the table and court, common ground
• See and be seen easier than at a long table, the king is not elevated on a dais above his knights, they were face to face, no one hiding behind another
• A table where everyone’s ideas were important, debated and judged equally on their merit – not based on who they came from.
• Get synergy/energy from each other
• Code of Chivalry

The leader sets the example by setting aside the trappings of leadership and setting the stage for collaboration.  Engage the heart. Be tough and take the hit when it would be easier to fudge and slide by. Be chivalrous, bold and stand for what’s right.

Arthur’s table was a significant innovation: Rather than issue proclamations from the end of a long table, a round shape brought him closer to his court and facilitated collaboration. Arthur’s table also allowed him to easily call on his knights’ particular expertise at the precise moment he wanted it.

(Image source: Google images)

King Arthur used a Round Table where each Knight could engage anyone in conversation. This simple change sent a strong message. We are all equals at this table. Like Arthur, today’s successful leaders understand that communication and collaboration must be fostered and that the decision-making process must be opened to anyone who can offer insight and wisdom. “None of us is as smart as all of us”. Ken Blanchard.  No one ever succeeds alone.

(Image source:Round Table in the Grand Hall, Winchester, England, United-Kingdom)

Round table leadership is creative, motivating and engaging. Building broad buy-in, engenders a sense of team work that excites constituents both internally and externally. Of course, someone has to ultimately make a decision, but the round table style leader has involved his team so it has become “our decision” and a shared goal.

(Image source: Google Images)

The serious games of today need to focus on a different set of skills from King Arthur’s time, but they involve skills that are no less critical: leadership, negotiation, team work, confronting problems, public speaking, improvisation, persuasion, decision making with incomplete information, and remaining calm under pressure. 1 Chronicles 12:2 David’s mighty men they were armed with bows and were able to shoot arrows or to sling stones right-handed or left-handed.

Source:widjiitiwin.ca