The Map Is Not The Territory

The late Catholic priest and psychotherapist Anthony de Mello in his book The Song of the Bird recalls a story of an explorer who returns to his people, who are eager to know about the Amazon. There is no way he can convey in words his experience of the beauties and dangers of his journey, so he urges them to go and find out for themselves. To guide them he draws a map of the river. The people eagerly study the map and become experts on all the information contained within the map. They eventually come to believe they know everything about the river.

Leaders and followers alike would do well to remember that the map is not the territory. Knowing and experiencing are not identical. Leaders are not simply to provide followers with guidance but are to help followers gain experience. In this way followers attain the experience necessary to lead others through the territory.

Developing new leaders is not the only benefit of learning from experience. It is when you lead from your own experience that you are perceived to be an authentic leader.