There’s a video from the African plains that I haven’t been able to shake.
A lion stalks a calf—vulnerable and alone. The mother steps in, defiant. She circles. She charges. She holds her ground. Then the rest of the pride emerges—ten lions, maybe more. You don’t want to watch… because the math doesn’t add up.
But she doesn’t flinch.
Outnumbered, outmatched, and outmaneuvered, she chooses the mission: protect the calf.
She doesn’t wait for backup. She doesn’t run.
She leads.
And then something incredible happens—her herd returns.
One by one, the buffalo rally. They see her courage, and they answer it with their own. Together, they overwhelm the lions. The calf survives. The mission is fulfilled.
This is not a wildlife story. This is a leadership story.
Leadership is putting something ahead of yourself and being willing to pay the price.
In the MAGNUS ONE model, Mission is the final ring because it holds everything together. Without purpose, the other rings fall apart. Mission is why we fight. Mission is how we endure. Mission is who we serve.
In your world, it might not be lions. But the threats are real—burnout, bureaucracy, public pressure, fear, failure. And every day, your team watches how you respond. Do you retreat? Or do you rally?
The mother buffalo didn’t give a speech. She led with action.
And those around her followed because her courage made the mission undeniable.
Challenge of the Week:
Lead into the threat.
This week, when things feel stacked against you—when you’re outnumbered, overwhelmed, or unsure—don’t shrink.
Stand for the mission. Say what needs to be said. Protect the one who needs protecting. Do the hard thing, even if you’re the only one doing it.
And watch what happens: you won’t be alone for long.
Because real leadership inspires others to step up and fight for what matters.