The Monarch of the Sky

For centuries, people have seen eagles as a symbol of beauty, bravery, courage, honour, pride, determination, and grace. This bird is symbolic to humanity because of its characteristics. 

  • They are known for their heavy heads and large, hooked beaks. They are also known for their strong, powerful legs and sharp talons. They are covered in feathers, and they have a wide wingspan.
  • When eagles come to mind, we commonly imagine an enormous hunter soaring above wide-open spaces on outsized wings. These larger-than-life birds have fascinated and inspired us with their brilliant leadership characteristics.

Strong Vision.

If you ever see an eagle sitting high above a cliff or atop a tree, watch closely and see how attentive the bird is. The body will be still, and the head tilted side to side to observe what is happening below, around, and above it. 

  • It focuses on something up to five kilometres away. When an eagle sites his prey, he narrows to focus on it and sets out to get it. No matter the obstacles, the eagle will not move the focus from the prey, until he grabs it.
  • Anyone who will go far in life must have a vision with absolute clarity void of ambiguities. Make plans and don’t live for the moment. 
  • Don’t underestimate an individual with focus and great vision, because they will not only motivate others but will live a meaningful life as they lead life towards the gates of destiny.
  • The eagle teaches us to remain patient, but ever-present, always keeping our eyes on the future, while not forgetting to take note of our present surroundings. 
  • When opportunity strikes, we need to be the first ones to see it and move fast. Have a profound vision for our future and constantly remind ourselves to stay focused.
  • Great leaders of the past have shared the eagle-like vision with the ability to both see reality clearly as it is in the present, as well as make accurate predictions.

Abraham Lincoln: 

The 16th president of the United States guided his country through the most devastating experience in its national history, the Civil War. He had the vision to save the Union and free the slaves. He is considered by many historians to have been the greatest American president.

Fearless Hunters.

An eagle will never surrender to its prey, no matter its strength or size. It will always put up a fight to win its prey or regain its territory. 

Golden Eagles are such remarkable hunters that they can prey on goats much larger than themselves by throwing them off the side of a cliff. We can learn a lot from the eagle’s determination.

  • It is important to remember that for every person, there will be a problem. For every problem, there is a prescription. We rise above disappointments and spread our beautiful wings into the sun.
  • Just as eagles must risk themselves for the survival of their families, we must not be afraid to put ourselves on the line. When we are willing to take a risk while staying loyal and determined, we will get noticed and plucked out of the crowd.
  • Successful leaders are fearless. They face problems head-on. No matter the size of the problem, a good leader attacks them without regard for themselves. 
  • It would not even dawn on us to be afraid because our instinct is to protect what we love and cherish. Others take note of our passion and determination and draw strength from it.

Nelson Mandela: 

Nelson Mandela was arrested and imprisoned in 1962. Subsequently, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the state of South Africa. 

Mandela served 27 years in prison (split between Robben Island, Pollsmoor Prison, and Victor Verster Prison). After all of his challenges, he still advocated for forgiveness and equality, never backing down from a challenge.

The Storm.

When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm’s wind to lift it higher. Once it finds the wind of the storm, it uses the raging storm to lift itself above the clouds. 

  • This allows the eagle to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime, all the other birds hide in the leaves and branches of the trees.
  •  It is our attitude that determines our altitude. It is our attitude that allows us to soar above those things that would otherwise overcome us.
  • The challenges in our life are many. These are the storms we must face to rise to greater heights. When eagles build relationships, they truly invest in them.
  • The things that hurt us the most can become the fuel and the catalyst that propel us toward our destiny. It will either make us bitter or make us better.

Cesar Chavez: 

He made people aware of the struggles of farm workers for better pay and safer working conditions. Chavez succeeded to bring higher pay and better hours to farmworkers through nonviolent tactics (boycotts, pickets, and strikes). Cesar Chavez never gave up and defended his people fiercely.

Wisdom.

As wings are to an eagle, so is the discovery of purpose to a child. Wings give an eagle flight; likewise, purpose gives a child a reason to be curious. Stagnancy is a result of fear, and every child’s mountain is a function of their belief system. 

  • We learn about our potential and pursue our life plans. We become unique and grow in confidence. As children, we were often told to soar like an eagle. To be ambitious and reach for the stars. If only it was that easy.
  • Everything we need to survive is within us. We have the strength, courage and confidence to change our lives. We just need to look within ourselves to find those qualities. We are strong when we have discovered the truth and value about ourselves that we become an asset to others. 
  • A good surgeon has an eagle’s eye, a lion’s heart and a lady’s hand. It takes a few seasons to create a forest, and the swoop of an eagle has seen many seasons of floods. When a chick ignores its mother’s warning, it becomes an eagle’s dinner.
  • The process is the most important part of our journey. Although it’s difficult to believe in something better from where we stand, redirection is a helpful intervention that leads us away from problems we could not predict and towards benefits we could not have imagined. 

Life is not measured by how many times we stood up to fight. It is not winning battles that makes us strong, sometimes peace is better than being right. We don’t have to show up to every argument we are invited to.

Attitude.

An eagle doesn’t mingle with the pigeons. Pigeons scavenge on the ground and grumble and complain all day long. Eagles don’t. They fly and make less noise, waiting for opportunities to strike their next prey or gliding with the current of the storm. 

  • Remaining focused on that which inspires us will help guide us through our careers. It’s easier to stay motivated when we stay focused on what truly inspires us. 
  • Great leaders are problem solvers. They don’t complain as pigeons do. They love to take challenges like an eagle when the storm comes. We must have high hopes and work to inspire others to greater heights. Think big and ask others to think big as well. 
  • Before female eagle mates with a male eagle, she first tests for commitment. Commitment is what transforms a promise into a reality. 
  • It unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives the right stuff to turn a dream into reality. Then and only then, will she allow the mating ritual to take place?

Warren Buffett: 

Buffett was born in Nebraska in 1930. He demonstrated keen business abilities at a young age. He formed Buffett Partnership Ltd. in 1956, and by 1965 he had assumed control of Berkshire Hathaway. 

He oversaw the growth of a conglomerate with holdings in the media, insurance, energy and food, and beverage industries. Buffett is one of the world’s richest men and a celebrated philanthropist. We can learn a lot from Buffett’s savvy investing and his constant vigilance.

Compassion.

Even though eagles are known for their aggression, what is more, astonishing is their ability to nurture their young ones.

As is the case with other birds, mother eagles must take good care of their young to give them the strength to fly. Just as mother eagles must usher their chicks out of the nest, a good leader must invest their time in their coworkers, etc. 

  • If we invest our time in others, they will invest their time in us. Building a stable relationship is one of the best ways to grow our careers.
  • True leaders are not bosses. They grow with their people. They strive to make individuals in the organisation or society grow to their full ability. 
  • They teach and guide just like the mother eagle does. They never stop giving challenges, but they also never give up empowering and directing.

John F. Kennedy: 

To John F. Kennedy, America was something to take care of together as a team. Kennedy asked his fellow Americans to join him in the collective dream of going to the moon “not because it is easy, but because it is hard.” Kennedy believed that by investing in the dreams and hopes of his fellow countrymen, the country would rise above its troubles.

Eagles are mentioned in the Bible as being admired for their swiftness, great physical power, and endurance. No matter how high the vulture may choose to soar, an eagle will always remain king of the sky. 

If we want to soar in life, we must first learn to F.L.Y (First Love Yourself). When we spread our wings, we have no idea how far we can fly because we are built to withstand the storms of life.