Read to Lead

  For too long, we’ve celebrated the image of the “driven leader”—relentless, uncompromising, and demanding. But can leadership built on pressure and fear truly be sustainable? Perhaps real strength lies not in pushing harder, but in leading with empathy, approachability, and trust, and yet, beneath this narrative lies a quieter truth: leadership does not have to be loud, coercive, or intimidating to be effective. There is another model—often underestimated—that deserves recognition: the amicable leader. The amicable leader is approachable, empathetic, and kind, but never weak. They understand that influence, not intimidation, is the currency of sustainable leadership. In defending this model, it is worth reflecting on why being amicable is not only compatible with strong leadership but may in fact be the very foundation of it. 1. Redefining Strength in Leadership We tend to equate strength with toughness, decisiveness, and an almost militaristic approach to discipline. Whi...

In one of the world’s oldest recorded tales, The Epic of Gilgamesh, a king sets out—not to conquer kingdoms, but to confront the most human fear of all: death. After losing his closest companion, Enkidu, Gilgamesh is shattered. His strength, his power, his victories—none of it shields him from the grief of losing someone he loved. What good is greatness, he wonders, if it ends in silence?So begins his journey—across deserts and mountains, to the ends of the earth. He endures trials, defeats monsters, and finally discovers a rare, sacred flower that promises eternal youth. A gift, perhaps, for all he has suffered.But while he sleeps, a serpent silently steals it away.He wakes up too late. The flower is gone. There are no second chances.Empty-handed, he returns home.But he is not the same man. He walks through the gates of Uruk, his city, and for the first time, he sees it—not with pride, but with clarity. The walls, the people, the order and beauty that he helped shape—these are h...