A young traveller visited a quiet monastery, hoping to find clarity. He had walked for days with a question burning in his heart: “How do I know where I’m supposed to go in life?”
He found the old master tending to a grove of bamboo trees.
“I feel stuck,” the traveller said. “Everyone talks about having a clear destination. But I don’t know mine. Without it, I can’t move.”
The master paused, then handed the traveller a bamboo stick. “Walk into the grove,” he said, “and with each step, clear a bit of the path ahead.”
“But which way should I go?”
“Pick a direction. Any direction; and keep walking.”
The traveller hesitated yet obeyed. He walked slowly, brushing aside the overgrowth. After a while, the path opened up and sunlight filteredthrough the leaves. He looked back and realized he had created a trail where there was none.
When he returned, the master smiled.
“Many wait for certainty before they act,” he said. “But clarity often comes from movement, not stillness. The path reveals itself through the walking.”
In life, as in leadership, we should not let the absence of a final destination stop us from setting a direction. It’s not always about knowing exactly where you’ll end up; it’s about stepping forward and letting each step show you a little more of the way.
Step forward into your day, your work, your relationships, and your ambitions with this issue of news2use, and I do trust you will find something that helps you personally and professionally.
Regards,
Dan
“Relevant & pragmatic ideas, tools and insights to play at your best.”
For You
Be careful how you talk about time.
The way we speak about it shapes how we experience it.
When we say, “I didn’t have enough time,” we remove ourselves from responsibility, as if time were something that happens to us rather than something we actively manage. This mindset leads to a sense of helplessness, reinforcing the belief that we are victims of our calendars rather than authors of our choices.
Instead, reframing our language around time unlocks a deeper sense of ownership and clarity. Saying, “I chose to focus on other priorities,” or “That wasn’t where I placed my attention,” shifts the conversation from scarcity to agency. It reminds us that time is not something we find—it is something we allocate. And how we talk about it can either drain our energy or empower us to live more intentionally.
For You & Your Team
Where’s the struggle in your strategy?
If everything looks polished and neatly packaged, there is a good chance you’re not actually doing strategy—you’re doing performance. Too often, strategy conversations become stages for looking competent rather than spaces for being curious. People show they’ve covered all the bases,when in fact, real strategy work lives in uncertainty, tension, and the courage to surface hard questions.
Playing it safe keeps egos intact, but it rarely leads to bold direction or meaningful differentiation. The most effective strategy work happens when teams are willing to say, “Here’s where we’re stuck,” or “This is the bet we’re making, and here’s the risk.” Struggle is not a sign of weakness in strategy—it is a sign you’re getting closer to the edge where real breakthroughs begin.
For You, Your Team & Your Business
In executive teams, “signing off” is standard practice—an initiative gets discussed, approved, and handed off. But there is a world of difference between authorship and ownership. Authorship says, “We approved this.” Ownership says, “We live this.” The former is about delegation; the latter is about embodiment. And when it comes to things like company values, culture shifts, or difficult changes like headcount reductions, ownership is what people notice—and follow.
Senior teams often underestimate how loudly their behavior speaks. If executives treat initiatives as boxes to check, so will the rest of the organization. But when leaders model the standards they set – when they hold the mirror up to themselves first – they turn initiatives into momentum. Ownership doesn’t mean doing everything yourself; it means showing, through your own personal ownershift, that what you’ve signed off on truly matters.
People, Places & Technology
Looking for quick, practical insights to conquer fear, fast-track your success, or support others more effectively? Check out Gregory Enjalbert’s YouTube channel, where he shares straightforward, actionable ideas for leading a healthier, happier life. Gregory is a friend and colleague based in Bangkok. He served as Vice President and Managing Director for Bombardier in the Asia Pacific region, leading complex, cross-cultural operations. Today he brings his expertise to life as a coach, facilitator, and content creator. His videos are packed with wisdom—and if you would like to connect, he’s just a message away on LinkedIn.
Thought for the Day
You fall to the level of your systems. – James Clear