“The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many, and before this battle was over, even a god-king can bleed.”
– King Leonidas, in the graphic movie “300,” the story of the Spartan’s battle with Persian King Xerxes’ armies
Today, I am with a compelling group of professionals who have modeled their business and aligned their passion, intelligence and effort along the lines of the Spartans — to rally an industry against the oppressive forces of government unchecked and competitors with exponentially greater capital and workforce “advantages.”
These people understand that the fight, if noble, matters more than the outcome. But that’s not to say the outcome isn’t important to them. The outcome matters greatly to this team of people, and as such, the outcome is within their grasp.
In the movie’s final scene, Stelios says to King Leonidas, “It’s an honor to die at your side.” The King replies, “It’s an honor to have lived at yours.” This compelling group of professionals doesn’t intend to die in the final scene. They intend to — and will — live. They’ll win. Not every time they take to the fight, but much more often than they lose, they will win. Why? They’ve shown time and again that they’re willing to leave everything on the field when the fight is over. It is an honor to join the fight with them.
Are there stories we care that much about? Are there fights worth fighting? Are there dreams worth making real?
Perhaps more importantly, are there distractions keeping us from those stories, fights and dreams? How much of a difference will it make when we eliminate those distractions? Will the world know we were here when we take to the fight?
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