Leadership Lessons from Sri Lanka Part 2: Reflections on Climbing Sigiriya

Monday, June 22, 2015

Sri Lanka continues to astound and amaze. From the impossibly crowded streets of Colombo to the lush jungles of Kandalama, this country’s colorful history, genial people, and awesome natural beauty are like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

One of the highlights of my trip so far has been climbing Sigiriya. Rising out of the forest at a height of 660 feet, this imposing rock is the site of an ancient palace and fortress built by King Kasyapa (477-495 CE). While climbing the 1,200 steps to the top (a great workout), visitors will see several surprisingly well-preserved frescoes on the cliff wall:

Climbing Sigiriya (1) - Right Chord Leadership
The stone feet of a once-enormous lion statue that guarded the main gate:
Climbing Sigiriya (2) - Right Chord Leadership

The “Mirror Wall,” a smooth wall of rock etched with visitors’ inscriptions and poems (some dating as far back as the 8th century):

Climbing Sigiriya (3) - Right Chord Leadership
And monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys.
Climbing Sigiriya (4) - Right Chord Leadership

As I climbed Sigiriya, imagining the past splendor and majesty of these once-magnificent ruins, I was reminded of the fleeting nature of leadership and the impermanence of power. All material trappings of power inevitably fade with time; only our legacies remain. This is easy to forget in the rush of daily work life, where every phone call, e-mail and meeting feels vitally important in that moment. Although we all have to make a living, it’s helpful to step back occasionally and remind ourselves it’s the footprints we leave behind that really matter.

What kind of leadership legacy do you wish to leave?

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