So the basics are as follows: There is this town in Switzerland where a would-be mayor and politician steps into a void, insisting that all townsfolk bow to his hat on a pole. This pole would be placed on the town square.
William Tell, however, was neither impressed nor obedient and upon being taken to task for his insubordination, questions the authority of the pompous, self-appointed mayor, purposefully ignoring all hats in the process. Obviously this left the very officious hat-touting, red-faced gentleman with a dilemma and he found his hand forced, retaliating with blackmail, in turn, forcing William Tell to place his son in mortal danger.
We all know the famous scene that follows where little Bill Tell stands with his back to a tree with an apple on his head and his father has to shoot at the apple with an arrow from his cross bow. What we don't all know, though, is that Mr Tell senior prepared two arrows for this job, not one.
The would-be mayor, however, noticed, and enquired about it. "Do inform me, sir," he asked of William Tell, "why is it that you took two arrows and not one?" "It's easy," said Mr Tell senior, "had I harmed my son, the second one would have been for you, sir."
Thereafter I think that the would-be mayor ran off defeated, dejected and hatless.
As I listened to this story I couldn't help but think that the world needs more William Tells. We need forward thinking, independent people, willing to stand up for the good, the right and the possible. We need these people in customer care, in management, we need them in business and in politics. We need thoughtful leaders and people who question ethics and assumptions, people who query the status quo, willing to take some flack for the greater good.
These people will not all be celebrities or TV stars, super heroes or Kenny Kunene's. These should be ordinary citizens who simply want to do a good job, ethically, every day. People who would be prepared to go up against unscrupulous leaders. People who would from the ground up put the pressure on management to deliver good product, good service, good value for money. We need more William Tells.
This will lead to an accountable society and therefore an empowered one. Think about it. When exactly did we go from our childlike state of doing what we thought was right until we were told not to, to the point where we don't do anything until permission has been granted? Our solutions are often present, just silent. Come on Williams of the World; don't let the mayor silence you!
© Debbie Engelbrecht
Debbie Engelbrecht is the MD of Staff Training. A national skills training company. She is also an Enneagram accredited Life and Business Coach. For more information visit www.StaffTraining.co.za