The Sorcerer (V)

Give your leadership relevance through a high level of credibility, so that it shapes the perception of others through the distinct direction of your own reality.

Through his outstanding and unexpected improvisations and actions, the Count of Monte Cristo reached his goal. Like a magician with full powers, he controlled through various means known only to him the reason of his enemies who, to their dismay, could not discern who is that someone or what is that superior, mysterious force which deliberately put obstacles in the way, which dictated everything and kept them under its influence.

All his enemies fell into a trap of conspiracy, very elaborately woven, and like fish caught in nets, were unable to escape. They ought to have stood against the count with their powers. They ought to have confronted him and undo his spells, looking for signs and ways they could turn into their advantage. They ought to have defended themselves, separate completely of him, through a bridge over which he could never pass. If they had managed to do this, they would have destroyed him. But they failed.

Does your proximity to the moment of action—by transforming into an active character—ease both your personal transformation and the consolidation of your character?

The sorcerer conceived his strategy with the great skill of a general. Secretive, displaying to the world a mysterious character, he managed to make invisible his intentions ans his actions, winning the respect and admiration of his enemies. They have come to rely entirely on him, regarding their success both in their professional and in their private lives. In other words, the sorcerer became the center of their universe.

When you're part of people's lives, and especially of your enemies' lives, you can only be full of energy and fast moving. You must be confident in your own strengths, in order to run events by your own will. The sorcerer was tireless in his watch, and his determination was unshakable. His hate was too intense and his impetuous will incited him to more action, causing more and more worries to his enemies.

As he penetrated deeper in their lives, in their sinful, evil and greedy souls, the more he disrupted their lives' courses, deepening their state of suffering and anxiety. Deepened into constant uncertainty regarding their fate, his enemies, bewildered, frightened, out of patience, had to strain to the extreme the capacity of resistance, in order not to be overwhelmed by the feeling of fear.

Do you maintain your self-mastery from a firm position, so that your profile is perceived as emanating a confidence capable of neutralizing any external tension?

Although all the events occurring begun since the Count made his appearance, nobody could impute him all those amazing, crazy, confusing events, which predisposed to worries and concerns. The Count looked very smart and capable; he had a calm and confident attitude and an open mind, always proving an extraordinary kindness, like a man with a pure heart.

One of the main concerns of leadership is the "inexpressive clothing", matched to any changes, which suits that way of being through which man can claim certain territories of influence, with the difference that it does not follow the generative dimension of "spectacle" in relation to the perception of the world, but explores the useful and effective dimension of this clothing in the process of becoming and assuming a valuable identity, which sometimes takes a form risky but profitable.

Genuine creators will never project a strong professional image, intended to support the promotion of an identity differentiating from the group identity, interesting primarily from the practical point of view of its role, if they do not anticipate, first of all, the moment of obtaining benefits both materially and spiritually.

Can you assume a dominant position so subtle that the impact of your actions on the context remains an enigma to the entire audience?

It is a kind of revenge that defeats time, creating conditions for a radical self-transformation, subject to a rigorous selection process or theoretical and practical knowledge during the formative stage, following unwritten rules and producing reactions of continuous support.

But the truth is that, evermore in the present, leadership, as a result of rather predictable or planned events, knows an extensive democratization process, moving more and more to what we call "egos clash", close to ambitions of supremacy, to what is expected for years, to the need of lucidity, spiritual awakening. And here we can talk of a kind of "expressive clothing", made on an industrial scale, under which its practicality is on par with safety, multifunctionality and sustainability.

Can you change people even without being credible in their eyes, in order to function coherently within a present that is simultaneously a continuous future and a distant past?

The Count of Monte Cristo knew like no other man how to skillfully avoid all the dangers that could lurch him. He knew how to always appear in a favorable light to all his enemies. If he hadn't had enough presence of mind, a strong sense of creativity and a great power of persuasion, he wouldn't have known how to act in order to achieve his goals. He ensures his present by avenging his past, while he was obsessed with the idea of a future for himself and no one else.

But a sorcerer always thinks about everything. Surrounded by the veil of a generous and friendly man, impressing through puns, always finding other ways to keep the mind of his enemies occupied, they didn't glimpse the truth behind appearances.

Whatever be the purpose you pursue, you can't reach it without people's help, even the one of your enemies. But for people to support you in the steps you take, you must become credible in their eyes. If you don't get close to them, if you don't grow sympathy among them, if you don't show them respect, they will never reward you with trust, and therefore you won't be able to achieve true success. When people believe in you, they release their potential and are more motivated to follow you.

But, like a sorcerer, you must play your role well, because people instinctively feel if someone is trustworthy or not. You must win their hearts, believing in them, to make them really work for you. If you don't create a reality according to their expectations, you will never be accepted to lead them.

The only way to juggle every ball in a 'game of God' is to hide behind a new identity—one that projects non-existent qualities yet grants you the courage to express yourself freely and confidently in any situation.

Conclusion: The lack of credibility eventually leads to your isolation as a leader and therefore your plans will have no completion. In order to be supported in all of your endeavors, the strategy, the methods and means of achievement mustn't be fancy, but achievable and flawless. Because a shadow of doubt is enough to lose all your supporters.

What is the detail that you should change in you, in order to raise your level of influence? What relevance has this change for you and for the others around you? What do highlight your new style of leadership? Does it reflect a reality that harmonizes and protects your personality, or that it inhibits and diminishes your value?

* Note: Alexandre Dumas - The Count of Monte Cristo, Youth Publishing House, 1957.