Here’s a question for all leaders: How many times have you been tempted by shortcuts?
It starts innocently — a small lie here, a “one-time” bending of the rules there. You tell yourself it’s just once, no one will notice. After all, success doesn’t wait for those who play by the rules all the time, right? Ethics? Too slow. Too bureaucratic. Not smart enough for the fast-paced world we’re in.
But here’s the thing — fast doesn’t always mean lasting.
Let me tell you a story.
In a village, there were two trees. One stood by the river, lush and green, with branches that dipped into the water. It was the pride of the village, admired by all. Further away, there stood another tree — tall, skinny, and barely holding onto its few leaves. It looked ugly, and no one cared much for it.
One night, a violent storm swept through the village. When morning came, the villagers were shocked. The beautiful tree by the river had fallen into the water, its roots torn out. But the ugly, forgotten tree still stood tall — strong and unshaken.
“How could this be?” the villagers wondered.
The village chief explained: “The beautiful tree had shallow roots because it didn’t need to work for its water. The ugly tree? It dug deep, searching for water, and its roots grew strong enough to withstand the storm.”
Here’s the leadership lesson: when you reach for the easy water — the shortcuts, the unethical decisions you think you can get away with just this once — you’re weakening your own foundation. You’re cutting your roots.
When the storm comes — and it always comes — you won’t stand a chance.
True success, the kind that lasts, doesn’t come from bending the rules or taking shortcuts. It comes from building deep roots: strong ethics, unshakeable conviction, and a character that endures, even if you look “ugly” to others in the short term.
So, the next time you’re tempted to grab the “easy water,” ask yourself: Are you growing shallow roots, or are you digging deep for the long race?