Leading With Perseverance

I have always appreciated the talent and music of Linkin Park. They have a distinctive sound, are innovative with their craft, and have those introspective lyrics that make you think. Emily Armstrong absolutely rocks “Heavy Is The Crown.” One lyric in the song says “You can’t win if your white flag’s out when the war begins.” This conveys a powerful message about resilience and determination. It suggests that if you surrender or give up before even facing the challenges (symbolized by “raising the white flag” which typically signifies surrender), you’re unlikely to succeed in overcoming difficulties. This reminded me of the importance of fighting through adversity instead of giving up at the first sign of trouble, encouraging persistence and inner strength to face our challenges head-on.

The next line in the song says, “Aimin’ so high, but swingin’ so low.” This line caused me to think about the contrast between being aspirational and reality. We need to aim high and set lofty goals, ), but not swing low when we experience setbacks, failures, or struggles.

Striving for greatness involves both highs and lows. Our journeys are not always going to be smooth and setbacks occur. Recognizing this can help us maintain resilience and perseverance, even when things aren’t going as planned. It encourages us to stay committed to our goals despite the challenges, understanding that setbacks are temporary and part of personal growth.

A fun connection I like to make to Linkin Park’s “Heavy Is The Crown” is to William Shakespeare‘s Henry IV, Part 2. Shakespeare’s line, “uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” reflects the burdens and anxieties that accompany leadership and responsibility. True perseverance involves enduring these internal conflicts and continuing to carry the weight of responsibilities, even when the burden feels heavy.

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