A Leadership Parable: Inheriting a Mess and Choosing What to Do Next

Two brothers inherited a large piece of land from their father. Though the land had great potential, years of neglect had taken its toll—fences were broken, fields were overgrown, and the irrigation system barely worked.

According to the father’s estate plans, they divided the land evenly, each responsible for his own portion.

At first, both brothers set to work. They had grown up watching their father tend the land, and each knew a little about farming—enough to make a start. The first brother immediately got to work, mending sections of the fence, clearing the thickest weeds, and getting the irrigation flowing again. But as he made progress, he uncovered more problems. The barn’s foundation was rotting. The well was nearly dry. The soil had been stripped of its nutrients. He quickly realized that while he knew some things, there was much more he didn’t know.

Rather than stop, he sought out advice. He spoke with neighboring farmers, asked questions at the market, and even traveled to a nearby town to learn new techniques. Bit by bit, he built his knowledge, adjusting his approach as he went. He made mistakes, but each one taught him something useful. His land was still a work in progress, but over time, it began to transform.

The second brother also saw the work that needed to be done. He patched a few fences and cleared a small section of weeds, but as he uncovered deeper problems, frustration set in. The irrigation system was more complex than he had realized. The soil wasn’t cooperating the way he expected. He knew he lacked some expertise, but instead of seeking help, he stewed in his frustration. “This is too much for one person,” he told himself. “Our father should have left things in better shape. If I had better tools, or if someone just told me exactly what to do, this would be easier.”

He waited, hoping for someone to step in, for clearer guidance, for better circumstances. Meanwhile, resentment grew—not just toward his father for leaving the land in disrepair, but toward his brother, who, despite having the same challenges, seemed to be making progress.

Weeks turned into months.

One evening, the second brother stood at the edge of his land, looking across at his brother’s fields. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over both farms. He saw the work his brother had done, saw the labor that still remained, and then he looked back at his own land—untouched in many places, waiting.

He took a deep breath.

And then he had a decision to make.

Reflection: 

Which brother are you? When faced with challenges, do you take ownership, seek solutions, and adapt as new problems arise? Or do you hesitate, waiting for clearer guidance, better conditions, or someone else to step in? Progress often reveals deeper challenges, but the difference between growth and stagnation lies in how we respond. Do we learn, seek help, and push forward, or do we let frustration hold us back?

Consider these questions as you reflect on your own leadership, work, and personal responsibility:

·      When faced with challenges, do you take ownership and seek solutions, or do you wait for clearer instructions or outside help?

·      How do you respond when new problems emerge after you’ve already started working—do you adjust and keep going, or do you hesitate in frustration?

·      Is there an area in your leadership, career, or personal life where you’ve been waiting instead of taking action?

·      In what ways might you hold characteristics of both brothers?  Do certain challenges rally you to move forward while others leave you feeling frustrated and paralyzed? 

·      What’s one specific step you can take today to move forward, even if you don’t have all the answers?