The Collector of Souls

Reinforce the field of your own greatness, so as to connect yourself to the reality of beliefs of those around you.

Spring came quickly. Fram, which reached 83º20' North latitude, was now surrounded by large stretches of ice. Nansen, the captain of the ship, whose desire for years was to try to reach the North Pole on sledges pulled by dogs, called one night the entire crew in order to notify them of the importance of the new mission which he had to accomplish at all costs, by the name of science. They all listened to him tensely. After making his plan known in detail, Nansen announced that only one person can go in that journey with him. Even so, who could that person be?

As, all twelve subordinates who fervently loved and respected him, volunteered.

Nevertheless, having decided long before, Nansen made the following announcement:

- I thought about taking Johansen as a companion in my journey, the man fits in all respects. He's an excellent skier and unequaled in terms of resistance.

Leadership: At your call, do people deserve the honor of being with you, knowing that the vision you preach is in line with the destiny they assume?

Then, Nansen's sharp look, which had the power to convey to anyone an important dose of courage, went towards Johansen, whom he prevented:

- Before you decide to rush into such a mission, you must think well, Johansen ! Weight things a day or two, and only then give me your final answer.

But, Nansen hardly finished his words when Johansen, considering a great honor to be chosen to go on the journey, he replied eagerly:

- No need to think twice, captain, I will follow you anywhere !

Do you control yourself as a visual landmark in the framework plan of this event, so that your interaction produces a practical and indispensable effect in the unity of the team?

A man whose sole preoccupation is to please and serve you is a soul you perfectly master. However, a man who has included you in his generous soul, you owe it to cherish it and directing it toward fulfillment of common desires.

It rarely happens, the writer Alexandre Dumas noticed one day, for a thing ardently desired not be ardently defended by those lingering for it.

The indescribable joy which animated Johansen was more eloquent than any words, and doubled by an exuberant optimism regarding the future, encouraged him to courageously rush into an adventure in which he risked dying at any time, killed by polar bears, frost or starvation. Nansen couldn't find a better companion because in the ski expedition to the North Pole, Johansen proved to be very helpful.

Quickly accepting Nansen's proposal, without taking second thoughts, Johansen wanted to show him that he wanted with all his soul to be his indispensable help, his right hand, his most reliable man, thus expressing his special admiration and respect that he nourished for him. Johansen awaited this moment with great anxiety and pride, the decisive moment when he could prove his loyalty.

Leadership is born out of one man's determination to turn an extreme idea into an adventure to the end.

How could he not be seized by strong emotions when, from a very experienced crew, from so many courageous people who were ready to undergo everything for their leader, only one of them, him, Johansen, was chosen to be Nansen’s companion in this journey? Only one thing can increase esteem and respect of people for their leader, namely the honor of being beside him in a very important moment.

I wonder what strange influence would bring people in the state of accepting to rush into the unknown, even towards death, with a tremendous passion? As, when you find yourself for nights, days and months in an isolated land, thrown into nothingness, you can get seized by a terrible fear of which you cannot escape once you contemplate the endless surroundings of glaciers and snow. However, a mysterious force pushed Johansen to participate in this unprecedented mission, the one of reaching in two the North Pole on skis.

Leadership: Does the experience of years of mission pave the way for that partner who deeply resonates with who you are now, in a context of assumed destiny in unison?

I found the need for an alternative to the leadership style approached, through which people can realize the strong character of their leader, only on mature and very realistic people, who can make extreme turns in any kind of circumstances.

There is no age, limits or deadlines to jump into the void, into the unknown, but there is only the opening in front of our own greatness, while allowing others to raise to a new consciousness of unconditional, free and pure "to be", to balance out any inequality of status. Consciousness is "the tool" that gives people whom you lead an overview of their own attachment and relationship forces, the only one allowing or forbidding them to position themselves in the same direction of travel with you.

Are people guided by that tool that indicate "forward" or "backward"?

Before moving in a new direction reinforce the field of your own greatness, so as to connect yourself to the reality of beliefs of those around you.

When you try to establish an unforeseen record, you must take into account the guiding potential of the action plans that underlie each and every one of your counter-candidates.

The unmeasured admiration that people feel for their leader determines them to muster up all their courage and follow him all the way through with an unstoppable enthusiasm. Johansen never forgot the sublime courage Nansen proved when he was the first to cross Greenland on skis, a rough country, unexplored until that moment, setting up an unusual record. He never forgot that Nansen won big competitions twelve years in a row, that he was a world champion in speed skating, being covered with glory and honor.

Undoubtedly, Johansen would have been able to die for Nansen, his gratitude felt such an urge to break out, and that's why he accepted without hesitation to follow him in the long and dangerous journey towards the North Pole. For a man, whose worth being well-known by everybody, which acquired such a brilliant reputation can't be only a man gifted with great qualities, a strong man who can overcome any barrier, who can overcome any limits.

The Collector of Souls is the leader who attracts near him only those people interested in the same world as he is, a world of finalities and expected effects.

A leader must carefully choose his "aid" or "aids", which can be achieved only through an extensive knowledge, a permanent collaboration and implicitly through knowing the egos with a strong personality that surrounds him. Therefore, the leader must be a genuine "collector of souls" by carefully selecting and recruiting people and their deep knowledge.

And the more people will be attracted to the leader’s personality, his ideas and plans, the more the leader will have a greater influence upon them and the more they will better mobilize in order to achieve common goals.

* Note: A. Talanov - Nansen, Youth Publishing House, 1961.