By  CJ Hardy and Josh Rossmeisl 

In the heart of a valley, nestled between winding hills and ancient trees, was the village of Waypoint. Every morning, as the sun painted gold across the fields, the villagers gathered at the edge of the old stone road. Their path to the market square was the same as it had always been, uphill, over a crooked bridge, through a patch of stubborn brambles, then down a rocky slope. It was not the easiest route, but no one questioned it. It was simply the way things were done.

Among the villagers was Elior, a young man known for his curiosity and hopeful energy. At his side walked Sable, the village elder, whose laughter and sharp questions had guided more than a few lost souls. Sable never carried a walking stick, only a satchel full of maps and a thousand stories.

One morning, as the group set out, Sable paused at the fork in the road and asked, “Why do we take this path, every day, without fail?”

Tamsin, the practical one, shrugged. “It’s the way to market. Always has been.”

Bran, the most vocal of the contrarians, crossed his arms. “There’s no sense fixing what isn’t broken. This is how it’s done.”

Lira, gentle and thoughtful, added quietly, “I suppose it’s what we know. I’ve never thought to question it.”

Sable nodded and looked to Elior. “What about you? If you could lead us any way you chose, would you do it differently?”

Elior hesitated. He had often wondered about the woods to the east or the grassy ridge to the north, but he had never dared voice his thoughts. He glanced at the others, then shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s best not to risk it.”

Sable smiled, eyes twinkling. “Maybe. Or maybe comfort is just a story we tell ourselves so we don’t have to try. Tomorrow, Elior, I want you to guide us. Any path you wish.”

The group murmured. Bran rolled his eyes. Lira looked nervous, Tamsin simply nodded. Elior felt a knot form in his stomach.

That night, Elior lay awake, thinking about the task. He wondered if he would get the group lost. He wondered if Bran would tell him off, or if Sable would be disappointed. He even wondered if he should simply take the old road and pretend it was his idea.

At dawn, Elior gathered his courage. He studied Sable’s maps and set off before the others, hoping to find a better way. The woods were thick with dew and birdsong. There were new sights, unfamiliar scents, and the path was soft underfoot instead of jagged and rough. He marked the way with stones and broken twigs, planning to bring the group through on their morning walk.

But when he returned to the village and shared his idea, Bran spoke up first.

“That way is dangerous. Who knows what’s out there? The old road is proven. This is a waste of time.”

Tamsin added, “We have work to do. If we’re late, we’ll miss the best market stalls.”

Even Lira was uncertain. “What if we get lost, Elior?”

Elior’s excitement faded. For a moment, he wanted to agree with them all and stick to the old way. But then Sable spoke.

“Why do we do what we do? Is it because it’s right, or just because it’s easy?”

She turned to Bran. “What’s your worry?”

Bran frowned. “I just don’t want us to end up worse off than before. I remember the time we tried to cut through the south fields and lost a whole afternoon.”

Sable nodded. “Good memory. Thank you. That’s important to remember.”

She turned to Lira. “And you?”

Lira bit her lip. “I just don’t want to make a mistake in front of everyone.”

Sable smiled gently. “No leader ever gets it right every time. That’s how we learn.”

After a long pause, Sable addressed them all. “Change is uncomfortable, but so is staying the same forever. I believe the only thing scarier than trying something new is refusing to try at all. Let’s follow Elior today.”

So, with reluctance and a bit of grumbling, the group followed Elior into the woods. At first, the path was pleasant, new scents, birds singing, and a cool breeze. But halfway through, the trail vanished. The group became turned around. Elior’s markers were hard to spot. Bran grew frustrated. Lira’s nerves flared. Tamsin muttered about wasted time.

Defeated, Elior admitted he did not know where they were. The group doubled back, found the old path, and arrived at the market late and tired. Bran looked smug. Lira kept her eyes down.

That evening, Sable found Elior sitting alone by the fire.

“I failed,” Elior said. “The new path was a mistake. The old road was better after all.”

Sable shook her head. “What did you learn?”

Elior thought for a long time. “That it’s easier to get lost than I thought. That the group needs more than a good idea, they need a real plan. And that the first time you try something new, it probably won’t work.”

Sable’s eyes sparkled. “And now, you know more than you did yesterday. What will you do with it?”

Elior found a spark of hope. “Try again?”

Sable nodded. “That’s all any leader can do. Remember, the treasures you’re searching for are rarely found on familiar roads.”

The next day, Elior studied the maps again, this time taking into account Bran’s warnings and Lira’s fears. He asked each villager what they would need to feel safe. He brought Tamsin along early to mark the new trail, clearing brambles and marking turns. By the time the sun rose, the new path was ready.

This time, when the group followed, they walked slowly and paid attention. They found wild berries in a patch of sunlight, new flowers they’d never seen, and a clear spring bubbling up between mossy stones. The path was not just shorter, it was full of discoveries. They arrived at the market early, arms full of fruit and new stories to share.

Bran, to everyone’s surprise, was the first to speak. “Maybe there’s something to be said for a fresh trail, now and then.”

Lira smiled for the first time all morning. “I never would have seen these flowers on the old road.”

Sable looked at Elior and nodded. “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. Most people spend their lives circling the same safe ground, but leaders are the ones who step off the path and make a new one for others to follow.”

After that day, the village began exploring new routes, discovering more than they ever had before. The old road, once worn smooth and safe, grew over with grass. The new paths were winding and unpredictable, but they were alive—with possibility, memory, and hope.

Moral and Leadership Lesson

Every person and every team feels resistance when faced with change. That feeling is not a flaw, it is our mind’s way of trying to keep us safe. But comfort and routine can only take us so far. Real growth, innovation, and joy come from having the courage to question the old ways, listen to every voice (even the contrarians), and try again after the first stumble.

Failure is not in trying and falling short. Failure is in never trying at all. The treasures we seek: connection, learning, opportunity, are always waiting on the other side of discomfort. The bravest leaders are not the ones who make everyone happy. They are the ones who help the group see that the only thing scarier than change is standing still.

---

Leadership Recap: Key Lessons

• Resistance to change is normal and rooted in our desire for safety.
• Comfort zones can prevent growth and drain energy.
• Always question routines and ask why we do things the way we do
• Contrarian voices provide valuable perspective and help strengthen plans.
• Failure is feedback; the first attempt does not have to be perfect.
• Include the team in planning and decision-making for stronger buy-in.
• Discovery and progress come from exploring new paths, not repeating old ones.

Leadership requires courage and persistence, not pleasing everyone.