Arnold Mindell on Leadership & Elders

The leader seeks a majority
the elder stands for everyone.

The leader sees trouble and tries to stop it
the elder sees the troublemaker as a possible teacher.

The leader strives to be honest
the elder sees the truth in everything.

The democratic leader supports democracy
the elder does this too but also listens to dictators and ghosts.

Leaders try to be better at their jobs
elders try to get others to become elders.

Leaders try to be wise
elders have no mind of their own. They follow the events of nature...

The leader knows
the elder learns.

The leader needs a strategy
the elder studies the moment.

The leader follows a plan
the elder honors a direction of a mysterious and unknown river.