While reading The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, I came across something that spoke to me as a real lesson in leadership. I might have moved on and not thought much more about it, but the concept was repeated in The Two Towers (and in a manner too similar to be ignored!).
At one point in The Fellowship, the Company is moving into Elvish territory, into the realm of the Lady Galadriel. Owing to some bad relations between Elves and Dwarves, there is an order to blindfold the Dwarf, Gimli, before the travelers can be led any further.
“‘Come!’ said Aragorn, ‘If I am still to lead the Company you must do as I bid. It is hard upon the Dwarf to be thus singled out. We will all be blindfolded…”
Rather than fight their guides on rules those guides did not make, rules which perhaps cannot be broken without consequence, Aragorn insists that the whole of the Company wear the eye coverings along with Gimili. Gimli may not be trusted among the Elves, but a good leader does not let any member of the group feel outside of the 'circle of belonging' (or the 'circle of safety' as Simon Sinek puts it in his book, Leaders Eat Last). This is vital to building a sense of camaraderie that allows each person to bring the best of themselves to bear. The outside world will do what it may, but within the group, all are counted as trustworthy and valuable.
Later in the story, Frodo has become the leader of a much smaller party headed into Mordor. Along the way, they are delayed by men of Gondor, who detain them for a time (first Frodo and Sam and then Gollum, as well). When Sam, Frodo, and Gollum are allowed to leave Henneth Annûn, Faramir's men insist on blindfolding Gollum before leading them out. In the same situation, Frodo imitates the same leadership qualities Aragorn exhibited in the first book:
“Gollum squealed, and squirmed, and clutched at Frodo, when they came to bind his eyes; and Frodo said: ‘Blindfold us all three, and cover up my eyes first, and then perhaps he will see that no harm is meant.’ This was done, and they were led from the cave of Henneth Annûn.”
Frodo and Aragorn demonstrate that a leader who is worthy of imitation is a leader worth following, and ultimately emulating. In addition, these are two perfect examples of how the 'do what I say and not what I do' mentality is a sign of weak leadership, in any context. Gleaned from the pages of a sprawling fantasy, I was thrilled and inspired by this humble lesson in leadership, and felt grateful for all the many wonderful leaders of the former quality in my own life!
Wishing you boundless peace and very good books,
Victoria Murgante
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