LEADERSHIP STORY: THE WARRIORS POWER TO CONTROL DESTINY

Many years ago a great Japanese warrior named Nobunaga was going to war with a fierce enemy with only one-tenth the number of men the opposition commanded. He knew that he could win the fight with a well-planned strategy, but his soldiers were in doubt.

On the way to the battlefield, the leader stopped at a Shinto shrine and told his men: “After my visit to the shrine I will toss a coin. If the head comes, we will win; if tails, we will lose. Destiny holds us in her hand.”

Nobunaga entered the shrine and offered his prayers. Then he came forth and tossed a coin in front of his men. Heads appeared. The soldiers were filled with confidence and were eager to win the battle.

“No one can change the hand of destiny,” one of Nobunaga’s attendants told him after the battle.

“Indeed not,” said Nobunaga and showed the coin which had heads on both sides.

Lessons from this story:

• When you are in a leadership role you have to do everything in your power to resolve any doubt that any of your team members might have. As a leader never disregard a concern, always address the problems your team sees and provide them with a solution or at least a “train of thought” to the solution. Sometimes it’s better to let your team members find the solution, but always make them feel it is possible and that they have your support.