The soul collector

On April 11, 2010, in Leadership and attitude, by Neculai Fantanaru

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.

The ski expedition to the North Pole

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.

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!

A soul filled with enthusiasm

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.

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.

Only a great leader revives in people's soul that enthusiasm which determines them to follow him always

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 soul collector

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, Editura Tineretului, 1961.