Gathering Counsel

The Mature King knows he does not have all the answers. His perspective is limited. He sees through his own eyes, filtered by his own experience, shaped by his own biases. To rule wisely, he must gather counsel from others who see what he cannot see.

The Tyrant refuses counsel. He believes he knows best and sees asking for advice as weakness. He surrounds himself with yes-men who tell him what he wants to hear. The Victim seeks counsel constantly, unable to make decisions without endless validation. He uses "gathering counsel" to avoid responsibility. The Mature King gathers counsel wisely—then decides with clarity and takes full responsibility.

The King builds a council of trusted advisors who bring different gifts:

The Elder: Someone older and wiser who has walked the path before. They bring experience and hard-won wisdom.

The Peer: Someone at a similar stage who knows your challenges. They bring solidarity and fresh ideas.

The Challenger: Someone who will question your assumptions and push back. They help you see blind spots.

The Heart: Someone who feels deeply and reminds you of the human impact. They bring compassion and ethical grounding.

How to gather counsel well:

Ask good questions: Don't ask "What do you think?" Ask: "What am I not seeing?" "What could go wrong?" "What would you do?"

Listen to learn: When someone offers counsel, listen. Don't defend your position.

Seek diverse perspectives: Seek out different viewpoints, especially from those affected by your decisions.

Decide and own it: After gathering counsel, make your decision clearly. Don't blame your advisors if it doesn't work out. The decision is yours.

The King knows that gathering counsel is not weakness but wisdom. The strongest Kings know they don't have all the answers and have the humility to seek wisdom from others.