From Myths and Legends

Like many thousands of people I have a long standing passion for myths and legends and my favourite centres on the stories of King Arthur and The Knights of the Roundtable. I have spent many hours lost in legend, as well as having the pleasure of personally visiting places mentioned in the dozens of books I have devoured on the subject; Tintagel, Winchester, Glastonbury, Stonehenge to name but a view.

Having just commenced yet another book on the subject it seems to me that we can lean a lot about leadership from this most wonderful story – that of King Arthur and the Roundtable. The withdrawal of Rome from Britain signalled the beginning of the Dark Ages and it is some time early in these Dark Ages that King Arthur belongs. There are many (and I am one) that believe behind the legend was a real man. Some archaeological digs of recent years tend to support that view. Arthur, no king in shining armour just a Roman-British war leader, who due to his superior leadership skills pulled a nation together to beat off the barbarians that came flooding into Britain. But before he could do this he had to address the internal bickering and fighting that was taking place between the lesser Kings fighting for supremacy over the land. So we have a leader modest and unassuming but with a vision to bring his people together. We have creed based on fairness and chivalry. We have a ‘table’, a round table where all who sit at the table are equal.

From this foundation the legends of King Arthur developed that of an inspirational leader who harnessed the nation and drove out the enemy and who lead his peoples through to a period of great prosperity and harmony, peace and happiness.

As you read through the many texts wriiten about Aruthurian Legends there are many inspiring thoughts and actions that we can apply today. It is a matter of taking the time to relate to our existing leadership quest, recognising the lessons, assimilating them into our thinking and our mission and then as always taking action.

Interesting reading on the same subject from Edward de Bono. http://www.edwarddebono.com/PassageDetail.php?passage_id=196

Well back to my legends…on a rainy autumn day in Sydney..