Leadership Lessons from The Lord of the Rings

Leadership Lessons from By Joe Tye, CEO of Values Coach Inc.

2 Slides from one of Joe Tye’s presentations on Leadership Lessons from the Greatest Leaders Who Never Lived. Joe Tye is CEO and Head Coach of Values Coach Inc.

3 For more information about options for having Joe present for your organization, contact Michelle Arduser: Phone: 800-644-3889 (319-624-3889) Email: Michelle@valuescoachinc.com

Ancient wisdom for modern leaders “Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office.” - Confucius

Surveys around the world show The Lord of the Rings to be the book of the century, and even of the millennium. 5

And this was certainly the movie event of the decade, perhaps even of the century. 6

“Critics say Tolkien’s fantasy is escapist, unrealistic, and irrelevant to modern social problems! The problem is exactly the opposite: it is far too relevant for the critic’s comfort.” Peter J. Kreeft: The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind The Lord of the Rings

But can Tolkien really be called one of the greatest leadership gurus of all time? 8 Click here to download a free eBook of Joe’s book Leadership Lessons

“J.R.R. Tolkien had an intuitive understanding of the theories and practice of leadership that was well ahead of its time…” Joe Tye: Leadership Lessons: What You Can Learn from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Classic Works 9

“Tolkien’s characters represent archetypes of virtually every major leadership style that has been practiced over the past fifty years.” Joe Tye: Leadership Lessons: What You Can Learn from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Classic Works 10

“Fictional characters can be more real than real people.” Christopher Tolkien 11

12 Let’s start with definitions…

13 An archetype is an original model of a person, ideal example, or a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated. Wikipedia

14 In other words, an archetype is a master style.

15 Many of the characters in The Lord of the Rings represent archetypes of leadership.

16 Before looking at the archetypes, let’s consider the difference between management & leadership…

Management is a job description. Leadership is a life decision. 17

Management is what you do. Leadership is who you are. 18

Management is transactional. Leadership is transformational. James MacGregor Burns: Leadership 19

20 Leadership is not just about power!

21 “You can’t fight the Enemy with his own Ring without turning into an Enemy [yourself].” J.R.R. Tolkien (letters)

A leader is someone who has followers 22

A leader is a person who takes you to a place you didn’t know you wanted to go 23

What leaders do Leaders create community by inspiring emotion and by influencing action 24

Committee of the Ring 25

The Ring Team 26

Fellowship of the Ring 27

Let’s look at lessons in leadership style from the archetypal leaders The Lord of the Rings 28

Sauron’s Lesson 29

30 You can achieve short-term goals – even come close to world domination – using intimidation and fear to “motivate” people, but the people you terrorize will eventually turn on you (as the Ring itself turned on Sauron).

Saruman’s Lesson 31

32 One of the most important decisions that any leader makes is the choice of people with whom to associate, because over time people take on the attributes of others in what sociologists call their reference group.

Denethor’s Lesson 33

34 The most profound duty of the leader is to inspire hope during the darkest of times – and that responsibility begins with the leader constantly rekindling their own hope.

Gollum’s Lesson 35

36 We all must choose whether to follow our own inner angels or our inner demons – and how we make that choice will substantially determine what we achieve and who we become.

Boromir’s Lesson 37

38 Wise leaders know that you can never use evil means to achieve worthy ends, no matter how noble your intentions might be.

Aragorn’s Lesson 39

40 Great leaders are guided by authenticity rather than being driven by ambition, and in the process they create a sense of destiny that inspires followers to greatness.

Galadriel’s Lesson 41

42 The greatest gift a leader can give is the light of hope and courage when people are traversing the valley of shadow and despair.

Gandalf’s Lesson 43

44 The most important contribution any leader can make is not in the act of leading, but rather in the cultivating of other leaders.

Theoden’s Lesson 45

46 No circumstance is so dark and dire that a change of heart coupled with forceful action cannot turn the tide.

47 Eowyn’s Lesson

48 No one can prevent a determined leader from performing the great deeds that it is her destiny to perform.

Faramir’s Lesson 49

50 One of the most courageous of leadership acts is giving up the illusion of being in control and trusting that others can fulfill duties upon which your future will depend.

Eomer’s Lesson 51

52 Real leaders put duty (to king and country) ahead of their own personal desires, comforts, and even safety.

Frodo’s Lesson 53

54 When your own hope and strength fail, you must fall back on your faith in the hope and strength of others – seen and unseen.

Sam Gamgee’s Lesson 55

56 The best leaders are those who never cease seeing themselves as followers and as servants, even after they themselves are viewed by others as leaders.

Merry & Pippin’s Lesson 57

58 Those who grow in stature and status are the ones who begin by volunteering for the difficult and dangerous jobs, with no hope of personal gain from the endeavor.

59 Legolas & Gimli’s Lesson

60 The most courageous leadership act of all is that of replacing ancient hatreds with a new spirit of fellowship.

Elrond’s Lesson 61

62 A small band of volunteers who are committed heart and soul to the mission will almost always outperform an army of draftees.

Who is the Leader? 63

64 The most effective organizations have leadership in every corner, not just in the corner office.

65 Another great leadership lesson from another great work of fiction...

“A king does not abide within his tent while his men bleed and die upon the field. A king does not dine while his men go hungry, nor sleep when they stand at watch upon the wall. A king does not command his men’s loyalty through fear nor purchase it with gold; he earns their love by the sweat of his own back and the pains he endures for their sake. That which comprises the harshest burden, a king lifts first and sets down last. A king does not require service of those he leads but provides it to them. He serves them, not they him… A king does not expend his substance to enslave men, but by his conduct and example makes them free.” Steven Pressfield: Gates of Fire 66

Leadership Lessons from The Lord of the Rings

by Joe Tye on Jan 16, 2011

Accessibility

Categories

Tags

Upload Details

Usage Rights

Statistics

Leadership Lessons from The Lord of the Rings — Presentation Transcript