The Man in the Arena
- James Rule
- Jun 6
- 1 min read
The text from The Man in the Arena has always resonated with me. I have hung a copy of it in every office I have worked in. I have drawn strength from it particularly during periods of adversity.
If this is the case, please know you are not alone. I have worked in public facing leadership roles where that fear would surface regularly. At those moments I reminded myself of the need to step into the Arena, to take action. I have not worked with a leader who has not had to wrestle with this same fear at some stage.
Take the time to explore this with a professional mentor or somebody in your network. You will find validation for this statement by Dan Pink. I believe we have a duty to limit the regrets of inaction in our professional role and personal lives.
In episode 70 of the Lonely Leader Podcast I explore Theodore Roosevelt’s core message from The Man in the Arena. True leadership is defined not by the critics on the side lines, but by those who step into the arena, daring to take risks, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and leading with authenticity.
Drawing from my own experiences as a CEO and coach, I share insights on overcoming the fear of criticism, taking decisive action despite uncertainty, and inspiring your team to perform at their best. Please enjoy via the below links:
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