Brother Leo’s Parable

A legend tells of a French monastery known throughout Europe for the leadership of a man known only as Brother Leo. Several monks began a pilgrimage to visit Brother Leo to learn from him. Almost immediately, they began to bicker about who should do various chores.

On the third day they met another monk going to the monastery, and he joined them. This monk never complained or shirked a duty, and whenever the others would fight over a chore, he would gracefully volunteer and do it himself. By the last day, the others were following his example, and from then on they worked together smoothly. When they reached the monastery and asked to see Brother Leo, the man who greeted them laughed. "But our brother is among you!" And he pointed to the fellow who had joined them.

Today, many people seek leadership positions, not so much for what they can do for others but for what the position can do for them: status, connections, perks, advantages. The parable about Brother Leo teaches another model of leadership, where leaders are preoccupied with serving, with giving rather than getting, with doing rather than demanding. Brother Leo is an example of inspirational, emotionally intelligent leadership.

Phil Johnson, MBL Inc. Founder & CEO

Master of Business Leadership Program

📈 Career Revenue $1.5 Billion

For the past 22 years the MBL program has been developing emotional intelligence, inspirational leadership, higher consciousness and other essential skills for career, personal and corporate success. MBL alumni live in US, Canada, UK, Europe, Japan, Germany, Bosnia, Africa, Australia, Middle East and Saudi Arabia.

In 1990 I remember talking with one of my older brothers and commenting “Is this all there is?”   I had accomplished more than I, or for that matter anyone else ever thought I would. In the process I had become mindlessly focused on the drive to acquire and achieve conventional wealth and success. But obtaining the "brass ring" in my career wasn't as fulfilling as I had dreamt it would be. Along the way I had forgotten the promise I made to myself on that snowy January night in 1968.

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