You can't change the world alone - you will need some help - and

"You can't change the world alone – you will need some help – and to truly get from your starting point to your destination takes friends, colleagues, the good will of strangers and a strong coxswain to guide them." These words from William H. McRaven carry a truth as old as humanity itself: that no great achievement, no matter how grand, can be accomplished in solitude. To reach one's destination, to move from the humble starting point of our lives to the place where we seek to make a difference, we must recognize that community, unity, and leadership are essential. Like a team of rowers on a great ship, we are carried forward by the efforts of those who row with us, guided by the hand of a wise leader— a coxswain who charts the course.

The ancients knew well the power of collaboration. The great Greek warriors did not win their battles alone; they fought side by side, their efforts combined in a shared cause. The hoplite warriors, for example, were united in formation, where the strength of one was a strength for all. In such a formation, even the mightiest of heroes could not stand alone. The strength of the collective was what led them to victory. Similarly, Homer’s Iliad reminds us that no warrior was truly great in isolation—each had their comrade, their shield-bearer, their ally. The individual, though powerful, is but a part of the whole, and it is in unity that the greatest triumphs are won.

Consider the great expeditions of history, where leaders set forth on daring journeys, knowing that their success depended not on the strength of one, but on the might of many. Take Ernest Shackleton, who led his men on the perilous journey through the frozen wastes of Antarctica. Shackleton knew that no matter his skill or determination, he could not have survived without the unwavering loyalty of his men, without the collaboration of each and every person. In the darkest days, when survival seemed impossible, it was their collective resolve that carried them forward. In Shackleton’s journey, there was no lone hero, but a team working in unison, each pulling the others through the storm.

Even in the history of great inventions, it is not the singular genius of the individual, but the collaboration of minds that brings ideas to fruition. Thomas Edison, credited with the invention of the light bulb, did not work alone; he had a team of engineers, inventors, and thinkers who helped him refine his ideas and bring them to life. The idea of changing the world, of bringing light to the darkness, could not have been achieved by a single person. It required the effort, the ingenuity, and the dedication of many working toward a shared goal. And, as McRaven suggests, it required the guidance of a leader—someone to steer the collective will in the right direction, ensuring that their efforts were united and focused.

At the heart of McRaven’s wisdom is the recognition that leadership is not about controlling or dictating, but about guiding the team forward. The coxswain, as McRaven refers to, is not merely a figurehead, but the essential leader who knows how to steer the ship through the stormy seas. This guiding presence ensures that the efforts of each rower are not wasted, that they are moving toward a common destination, and that no one is left behind. True leadership is found not in authority, but in the ability to unite, inspire, and lead others to achieve greatness together.

The lesson to be learned here is clear: no great accomplishment is ever achieved in isolation. Whether in battle, in exploration, in innovation, or in life, the road to success requires the strength and support of those around us. We must recognize that we are all part of a greater whole, and that the journey forward requires the collaboration, the goodwill, and the unity of many. The leaders of tomorrow must be those who know how to guide others, who can inspire loyalty, and who can bring out the best in those they lead.

So, let us embrace the power of community in our own lives. Let us surround ourselves with friends, colleagues, and strangers who share our vision, and let us be willing to help one another along the way. Let us not be afraid to seek help, and let us also be willing to offer our support to others. The journey may be long, but it is through our collective effort, our willingness to row together, that we will reach our destination. For alone, we may travel fast, but it is only together that we will change the world.