Risk it for the biscuit

I just stumbled on some great advice:

+10 million people have read it. So let’s break it down and spend a second thinking about what to do with it.

I just rewatched Lord of the Ring, so let’s use that as a metaphor.

It’s the day of the secret council in Rivendel. The council where they decide what to do with the ring. 

The best minds and warriors have gathered in Rivendel. Elves, Dwarfs, Men, a Wizard.

And a Hobbit.

Elrond, the leader of the council concludes: there’s only one option, they must destroy the ring. They must take it to Mordor and throw in the fire where Sauron made it. 

But who will do it?

The council is fighting.

But in the middle of the screaming and cursing, the most unexpected person rise from his chair and says:

And baam…

Now it’s HIS burden and HE has to carry it all the way to Mordor. If that’s not taking accountability and risk, I don’t know what is (he doesn’t even know the way).

Alright, enough Lord of the Ring before you think I’ve gone mad.

But you see what happened here. By taking on that accountability and risk, Frodo went from a nobody who was heading back home, to the most important person in the world.

He got:

Responsibility: carrying the ring to Mordor

Equity: being part of this epic quest for endless honor and glory (in that time, that seemed more important than building a million $ business)

Leverage: a team of 8 people backing him through the journey

It’s that simple.

Frodo went from 0 to 100 in 5 minutes, which might be a stretch in reality but the lesson is the same.

Next time something is needed at work. Take accountability for it. Put the task under your name.

“I will carry the ring to Mordor”

If you do (and succeed) people around will give you bigger opportunities. It won’t happen overnight like Frodo, but over time you’ll get trust among your bosses to work on the big things.

And yes, it’ll make you rich before you know it.

What is your ring?

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