In an ancient Greek myth, Paris – a Trojan prince – must choose the fairest among three goddesses: Aphrodite (love), Athena (wisdom/strategy), and Hera (power/kingship). Each offers a bribe, and Aphrodite promises Helen of Sparta, the most beautiful woman alive.
Paris chooses love. Soon, Helen of Sparta becomes Helen of Troy. The King of Sparta isn’t happy about this, and launches a decade-long campaign until Troy is destroyed.
Bad choice, Paris.
Does that mean that choosing love is bad? No. But many leaders over-index for one of these forces at the neglect of the others..
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Wisdom: Some chase judgment, truth, clarity. But without love, wisdom turns into cold detachment.
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Love: Most chase admiration, connection and romantic love. But without power, love morphs into validation and people-pleasing.
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Power: Others chase dominance, control, and trophies. But without wisdom, power becomes simple tyranny.
Ideally, a leader learns to balance these forces within himself—not choosing one over the others, but knowing when to lean into each.
Wisdom, love, and power must work together in a state of dynamic balance.
Overweight one for too long, and you risk burning down Troy.
Which are you choosing today— wisdom, love, or power?
warmly,
Navin
P.S. sometimes when you choose power, you’re actually choosing the validation that comes with power. In essence, you’re choosing a weak form of love.