“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.”
That is the inscription on the One Ring from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. This Ring has the power to control the other Rings of Power; it is the ultimate tool for control and influence.
What makes the One Ring so irresistible, even seductive?
Why does it seem that so many, even good people, well-regarded folks with the best of intentions, fall susceptible to its pull?
I’ve been a long-time fan of Tolkien’s work. In 2004, I had the chance to spend a semester at Keble College in Oxford, taking in the sights and sounds of the very ground the Inklings walked upon. Visiting the Bodleian Library and sharing a meal at The Eagle and Child, I reflected on the ideas they discussed, the books they forged, and the questions that they perhaps pondered.
When facing challenges, encountering obstacles, confronting oppositions, how do we stay the course and not lose our way?
Allow me to draw out three lessons from The Lord of the Rings:
1. Exercise Extreme Caution with Power
Lord Acton’s famous maxim rings true: Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. In Tolkien’s world, the Ring isn’t just a tool; it’s a mirror that reflects our hidden desires for control. Too often, we are blinded by the seductive nature of power, justified by our own pursuit of “doing good”. Unfortunately, we have seen all too many leaders lose their way.
2. Cultivate the Power of Contentment
Don’t confuse contentment with laziness. There is a simple and profound strength in being content. While there is nothing inherently wrong with ambition, we must be wary when our motivation subtly shifts from serving to self-serving. We must be careful with the intoxicating, unquenchable thirst for “more.” There is immense beauty when we lead from a place of “enough”. And, maybe even flourishing.
3. Embrace the “Small”
Even the smallest person can change the course of the future. True leadership doesn’t need to be loud or grand. It can mean serving quietly behind the scenes, where a spotlight is not required and titles are irrelevant. Moral courage, integrity of character, and faithful service are often found in the small, seemingly insignificant moments.
Friends, there are no shortcuts when it comes to servant leadership. Quite plainly, it involves serving people humbly. Even if we can justify a “good” vision or a noble goal, if the path to getting there is marred by eroding human dignity, we have lost our way. As servant leaders, we must remember that the means are just as important as the ends.
Onward, servant leaders.
