Dependency

There’s a story about a medieval court astrologer/clairvoyant working for an insecure king. The king felt threatened because the predictions were coming true quite often. The king’s paranoia was such that the wise course of action was to have his astrologer killed. The king, with his security detail, brought him to a high tower with the intent to throw the astrologer to his death. However, the king asked him one final question, “You seem to know the fate of others; what is your fate?” The astrologer, thinking quickly, but calmly, said, “I shall die three days before your majesty.” 

The king let him go. 

Maybe the lesson is about playing on the leader’s paranoia. We can see parallels today. But it might also be about dependence. The king believes that the astrologer’s death and his death will be separated by a mere three days. Therefore, the king will be dependent on keeping the astrologer alive for as long as possible. That’s the only way to ensure that the king lives for a long, long time. 

Those in leadership positions have trusted aides, confidants, senior staff, and others that they rely on for advice and counsel. It’s best to think about the dynamics of those relationships and while the “astrologer” on your staff cannot be thrown off a tower, a leader has to understand the dynamics of dependency.