Yesterday we looked at a simple principle that can transform your life and for that matter, the world. “Return things in better condition than you found them in.” My friends will tell you that I have been fascinated with the work of a man who inspired the movie “The Horse Whisperer,” Monty Roberts, for years. Here’s why…
Monty Roberts is masterful in putting the principle we’re discussing to work. While probably not the first to use this method of “entering” versus “breaking” wild horses, he has done well to articulate how it is done. Monty’s desire to share it with others comes as a great blessing to the equestrian world and to virtually every sphere of human endeavor.
Fasten your seatbelts and be prepared to cover your eyes while watching this next video. It portrays an age-old method for breaking wild horses, a method which, unfortunately, is still in use.
Tragic, isn’t it? Man’s conquest of the natural world has not always been achieved through gracious and entreating means. I imagine that in times of dire necessity (such as the early pioneering days or in times of war) shortcuts are perceived as being optimal versus an approach based on compassionate leadership, but in times of plenty, can these types of methods be justified? I use the example of horse training, but it doesn’t take much imagination to see the implications relative to raising children, to increasing productivity in the workplace and so on.
Force may achieve a desired end, but at what cost? Building trust takes longer, but in so doing nothing is diminished. I thought you’d enjoy this example of what Monty calls “join-up.” This is Monty Roberts approach to entering or breaking a horse.
So what does this mean to you, relative to the way you work with yourself, with friends and family, with your peers, your clients and those who depend on you for leadership and guidance? Here are some of the lessons I have learned:
1. Never force anything. There is a right timing for all things.
2. The right timing implies that the “table is set” for what is about to happen. The desired event can occur with the least amount of energy necessary to get the job done. (Think about changing gears in a manual car, for example. Timing is everything).
3. Building trust requires consistency, constancy and steadiness in your expression.
4. Don’t go straight at the problem. Work your way up to it by systematically disarming the land mines that invariably surround your goal.
5. Beware of the approach that is based solely upon the logic “well, that’s just how it’s always been done.”
6. Be observant. Care genuinely about those around you. Listen carefully and find the openings for helping others. Learn to speak their language as Monty did with the horses. Equus!
7. Help others to lead as you do. Mimicry is a complement, but when others take what you do and expand on it, that is progress!
I wish you well as you look to improve your leadership skills in the days to come! Have a great weekend.
Gregory Hake 
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Yes, preconceived notions can leave us with slow progress. Compare horse training that didn’t change for 2000+ years to Orville and Wilbur Wright who took flight from a beach to the moon in a few decades. Why?
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That’s a big question, Debbie! My wheels are turning…what do you think?
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It is amazing what this man has done with horses. It really shows that the ways things have been done in the past are not necessarily the best ways to do them. It makes you think that there are many other things that could be changed just as dramatically as this. Thanks for the post!
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I am Monty Roberts’ daughter and I want to thank you for recognizing the power in this message. My grandfather ‘broke’ horses in the traditional way – people too such as my father, his son.
My father’s message from the horses is borne from a very painful upbringing. I appreciate people sharing what he learned while he is still walking this earth and demonstrating with wild fractious horses at 75 years of age this year 2010.
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Thank you, Debbie. Your father’s words and work are leaving an impressive and indelible legacy of compassion and victory. The fact that he overcame so much to do so is astonishing.
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Thanks for more good food for thought.
Let’s pray for strength for the people of Chile
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It takes patience and more focused self control on our parts to allow change and progress to ocur based on inspiration and encouragement rather than force and intimidation. I will challenge myself to look closely into all areas of my life to see where this can be refined. Thanks so much!The long term results of right leadership will certainly outweight the short term effects of force.
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This is a beautiful example of how we can work with each other and in our daily lives! I used to train dogs, it was more so their owners….the same principles apply. Did you notice how he recognizes the slightest gesture of the Horse – it’s their way of communicating.
Most of us think that by using force it will shorten the learning curve – not so, and it creates a distance between owner and animal. I know I don’t care to have things beat into me….and they usually don’t stick that way, it just creates more fear.
As a father this encourages me to slow down when I’m with my children and really pay close attention to how they are communicating so that I can see the opportunities to work with their “flow” – they do offer me sooo many windows to make a “positive” difference.
Thanks!
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Well put, Brad. The idea that force shortens the learning curve is one that has led to the construction of a great many weak foundations. The curve may no doubt be flattened on the basis of force, but beyond an “optimal” point it does more harm than good.
I am reminded of times that I crammed for an exam in school. The intense focus over a short span – more force – helped up to a certain point, but there is a point at which “cram” leads to “crash!”
Our poor adrenal glands…
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Thank you, Gregg. So appreciate the points outlined here and look forward to using them today!
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