Guide Stars Lessons: This little light of “Mine”.
It’s dark, and you’re holding a torch that casts a steady, bright light in front of you. The path is clear where you stand, but just beyond your reach, others move cautiously, stumbling and feeling their way. You could lift the torch higher, spread its glow further, but part of you hesitates. After all, that light is yours. You’ve carried it, tended it, earned it. And yet, with every step you take alone, those following remain in the shadows, disconnected from a path they can’t clearly see.
The Truth? A light kept close reaches only so far; but lifted and shared, it becomes a source that guides the journeys of many, long beyond the reach of its keeper.
The glow isn’t dimmed by sharing; instead, something unexpected happens, it spreads. As you lift it higher, those around you begin to see the path more clearly, their steps more certain. The light extends, connecting each person’s journey to the next, paving a smoother path forward for everyone…
You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see it. I’m advocating for mentorship and effective succession planning because we’re at a point where working in silos is no longer a sensible option. The world is too connected, the challenges are too vast, and the pace is unforgiving. Holding tightly to knowledge as if it’s some personal trophy, creating barriers around what ought to be shared, only slows us down and history has shown us the consequences of this hoarding.
Consider Kodak, a company that once led the photography industry and even invented the first digital camera. But instead of sharing and building on this groundbreaking technology, they buried it, fearing it would threaten their profitable film business. By hoarding the very innovation that could have kept them ahead, they fell behind while competitors embraced the digital wave. What could have been a legacy of transformation and adaptability turned into a cautionary tale. Their refusal to share and evolve didn’t protect them; it led to their downfall, costing them everything.
The lesson is clear: keeping knowledge locked away isolates us and stalls progress; it sabotages it, forcing every newcomer to waste time starting over instead of pushing further, refining, and advancing what’s already been achieved.
Now, imagine applying that mindset to how we operate today. If we open up our knowledge, plan for those who will follow, and commit to mentoring, we’re doing more than just protecting our work. We’re laying the groundwork for something greater. Instead of gaps and setbacks, we’d have a seamless progression where every person builds on what’s already been achieved. That’s the power of mentorship and succession—it transforms individual successes into a shared legacy, where progress doesn’t stall but continues to evolve, generation after generation.
For anyone who grew up watching Kung Fu classics like Enter the Dragon or Shaolin Temple, the feats of Kung Fu masters are unforgettable — their strength, precision, and sheer will seem to defy human limits. But what made these monks legendary wasn’t just their skill. Behind each technique lies a legacy, passed down carefully through generations. This wasn’t training for the sake of fighting; it was about creating a foundation so strong that no threat, no change in the world, could shake it. The Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu, is a living example of this. For centuries, it’s weathered invasions, political shifts, and challenges, yet it stands firm today, a pillar of an unbroken tradition.
This strength and tenacity came from a deep commitment to mentorship. Each monk wasn’t just taught to master his skills; he was trained to pass them on, to shape the next generation with the same discipline, precision, and purpose. The monks didn’t cling to their knowledge as something to be protected for personal gain. Instead, they saw it as something greater, a legacy that would grow and adapt as it was shared. This cycle of learning and teaching ensured that Shaolin wasn’t just a place but a living tradition, unbreakable and enduring. By building this chain, they created a foundation that could not only survive the centuries but thrive, allowing each generation to start from a place of strength and advance even further. That’s the power of true succession: a legacy rooted so deeply that, no matter the challenge, it holds firm, ready to guide those who come next.
Incidentally, for mentorship and succession to truly work, it takes commitment on both sides. Those looking to pass down their knowledge need to see a genuine willingness to learn from those coming up. It’s not enough to just be present or to wait for insights to be handed over while you keep one eye on your cellphone. If you’re constantly checking out, waiting for the earliest chance to pick up your device, what message does that send to those trying to teach you? Knowledge doesn’t get passed down by accident — it requires focus, curiosity, and respect for what’s being offered. When you show real dedication, you inspire confidence in your mentors that their efforts won’t be wasted, that you’re ready to carry forward what they’ve built.
Those moving up the ranks need to show genuine engagement, proving through their actions that they’re ready to receive and carry forward what’s being taught. Putting down distractions, actively listening, and asking thoughtful questions demonstrate respect for the knowledge being shared and show mentors that their experience will have lasting impact. This kind of commitment doesn’t just prepare individuals for their roles; it strengthens the foundation for those who will come after, ensuring that each step forward builds upon the last.
So. To sum everything up; Passing down knowledge is about building something that lasts. When we’re willing to share what we’ve learned, it reaches further, creating a foundation that others can stand on, so they’re not forced to start from scratch. Keeping knowledge locked up? That only limits everyone, cutting off progress at the knees.
Mentorship isn’t just a nice idea, it’s essential. Especially if we want each generation to be stronger than the last. History has shown us what happens when knowledge gets held back: progress slows, opportunities are missed, and everyone loses out. Real succession means those with experience are ready to pass it down, and those learning are willing to step up, engage, and respect what’s being shared. It’s a two-way street that demands focus and commitment on both sides.
