When the Wall Becomes a Bridge

I just got back from China. I stepped into Tiananmen Square, the vast open space buzzing with history and silence. The giant portrait of Mao stared down as I walked past the Monument to the People's Heroes, feeling the weight of centuries. Two worlds with different ideologies, yet common problems to solve: people.

From there, I journeyed north to the Great Wall of China. Standing atop its ancient stones, I gazed across the mountains, the wind whispering stories of dynasties and warriors. Two worlds in one day—powerful, timeless, unforgettable.

My youngest son and I hadn’t spent a lot of time together, and that Great Wall was very symbolic—probably for both of us—in how the time between building a relationship had felt. We hadn’t talked in quite a long time. As I looked at our situation, each moment together appeared to get easier. It reminded me of what good leadership should look like. Sometimes, it’s as simple as starting the conversation. Hard at first, and somehow the self gets pulled away to the side for humanity to step in and see the greater good. With my son, in this case, it was love.

How does a leader get past differences and grow something that starts so fragile?

Great leadership often means putting the person before the position. Love, compassion, and humility can rebuild what distance or conflict has worn down. The self steps aside, and something bigger—like love or shared purpose—steps in.

• Initiate the first conversation

• Listen without defending

• Find common ground

• Be patient and consistent

• Lead with humanity, not authority

Standing on the Wall with my son, experiencing one of the Seven Wonders of the World—well, that wall didn’t look so big anymore.