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On the island of Crete in ancient times, a unique form of bullfighting developed. It involved facing a charging bull and, at the last possible moment, grabbing hold of its horns and swinging up on its back (see the diagram to the left).<\/p>\nOn the island of Crete in ancient times, a unique form of bullfighting developed. It involved facing a charging bull and, at the last possible moment, grabbing hold of its horns and swinging up on its back (see the diagram to the left).<\/p>\n
Nikos Kazantzakis, author of Zorba the Greek<\/em> and The Last Temptation of Christ<\/em>, writes about “the Cretan glance”, that moment when the bull is bearing down on you…but you are utterly focused on the task of getting past the horns and onto the bull’s back. Kazantzakis makes much philosophical hay of this notion: for him, “the Cretan glance” describes the human’s existential position, facing the intensity of the universe. For me, big and complex technology projects are a more-than-adequate expression of that intensity! And “the Cretan glance” is a useful image for what leaders and teams need to do when faced with the often scary challenges that arise.<\/p>\n Stay focused on the present. Keep your eye on those rapidly approaching horns. Feel the fear in your guts without giving in to it. And then grab hold…vault up…over…and land!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bulls and Bull-leaping in the Minoan World<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n