“…A Lion used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen used to dwell. Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell a-quarrelling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. Then the Lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four…”
Aesop. (Sixth century B.C.) Fables.
The Four Oxen and the Lion
Getting ready for the New York National Innovation Conference (NIC) organized by the Greek America Foundation, I can’t help but think deeply about my Greekness.
Over 500 “Greeks” and -I use the term loosely to include philhellenes and diaspora Greeks – are coming together to think about innovation, hope, change and all these ideas and actions worth sharing and implementing to support Greece during these challenging times. NIC isn’t for everyone… It’s for people who want to listen and learn… people who want to be provoked and be inspired. It’s for people who are interested in changing the world.
So many things become irrelevant when it comes to helping out. As Matthew Bogdanos, one of the presenters said to me: “it’s time to roll up our sleeves and work hard now.” Paul Evmorfidis used different words expressing the same idea: “We have been sitting pretty in our living room for a long time – now it’s the time to stand up and get to work…” Marie Bountrogianni has worked long and hard to be the catalyst for coalitions who can go on and create great stuff.
Greg Pappas, the heart and soul of this event put it right in one of his posts. This is all about collaboration. No time for bickering, complaining, fighting, crying wolf or pointing fingers.
I am smiling. Will Aesop’s wisdom sip through and make us all stand united finding our voice, our power, our collective tribal power to rise and fight back?
And will the rest of our “tribe” on the other side of the Atlantic open and listen and stand united with all of us? After all, Aesop and history both have been proven right.
What interests me is helping sharp, intelligently curious people overcome barriers that may be keeping them from achieving more. Passion and boldness can make the art and science of leading easier to navigate. So, have fire; feel with your brain; don't be afraid.
