Odysseus: the leader who tied himself to the mast

There is scarcely a stronger picture of will and leadership in troubled times than the story of Odysseus on his way home from Troy. His vision was clear: he was going home to Ithaka, no matter how many temptations or dangers awaited. As the sirens sang and beckoned, Odysseus tied himself to the mast -- not because he was impervious to turmoil, but because he knew what he really wanted. He committed himself to his goal, to himself and his crew, showing that resilience in the face of uncertainty often requires concrete action and faithfulness to the vision.

When the leader becomes a receptacle for the turmoil

In times of rapid change, digital transformation and unpredictable markets, leaders are more demanding than simply delivering results. A modern leader must also act as a psychological retains — a human being who can accommodate insecurities, emotions, and unrest without being overwhelmed. The ability to stand in the uncomfortable, without trying to mitigate it too quickly, is a strength that creates security and direction when everything is unclear.

What does it mean to be a “retainer”?

The term “retainer” originated with psychoanalyst Wilfred Bion, who described how parents—and managers—can act as receivers of others' anxiety and unease. They accept the unpleasant, endure it, process it and give it back in a form that is more manageable.

A leader must be able to deal with the organization's turmoil without even getting caught. When change processes or crises occur, co-workers seek emotional grounding. If the leader manages to remain calm, available, and present -- rather than react with defense or flight -- psychological reassurance is built.

The leader as an emotional regulatory force

Compartmentalizing emotions is not only about empathy, but also about self-regulation—noticing one's own reactions without letting them rule. A leader who can withstand the tension of space provides emotional stability others orient themselves after. This is quiet leadership: few words, big impact.

Such leaders:

listening without immediately having to solve everything
endures silence, resistance and conflict without backing away
dare to be honest about one's own insecurities without losing authority
creates peace of mind through serenity, presence and authenticity

A counterforce to action panic

In many organizations, “action panic” prevails - the need to do somewhat, cost whatever the cost will, to release the discomfort. But poorly processed turmoil often leads to poor decisions and low learning.

Rumbling leaders dare to hold back for a moment. By providing space for reflection and allowing the team to put into words what is happening, the space for shared understanding and collective learning opens up. Organizations that can stand in the unresolved develop psychological agility — the ability to adapt without losing your footing.

The Vision as a Stabilizing Force

Having a vision in troubled times is not unlike accommodating unrest -- rather, there are two sides of the same leadership. A clear vision provides direction and stability, while enduring uncertainty provides reassurance when answers are lacking.

Leaders who combine clear vision and rooming presence build trust and change power in the organization. Just as Odysseus tied himself to the mast to stay the course through the turmoil of the sirens, leaders today can strengthen their resilience through being both retains and wizard.

How to Develop Roaming Leadership

This form of leadership can be trained through self-awareness and emotional presence:

Reflection: notice your own reactions in demanding meetings
Mental breaks: create distance between stimulus and response
Open communication: Invite co-workers to share what change actually feels like
Guidance or Coaching: use confidential conversations to process your own turmoil as a leader

Competent management then becomes a competence - an emotional endurance - that is felt by everyone around.

To rumble — not to control

We can't control everything, but we can choose how we face what happens. When a leader endures turmoil -- both in himself and in others -- it signals reassurance and realism. It shows that obscurity and emotion are not weakness, but expressions of real life and development. Where trust arises lies the very foundation of the power of change.

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References

Hobbelstad, I.M. (2023). Odysseus' Journey (Hardcover). Kagge Forlag AS.

What leaders can learn from Odysseus. (2016, October 5). BI Business Review. BI School of Business. https://www.bi.no/forskning/business-review/articles/2016/10/hva-ledere-kan-lare-av-odyssevs/

It's wikipedia. (n.d.). Odysseus. In Wikipedia. https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odyssevs

Kearney, E., & Buss, M. (2024). Visionary leadership is most needed in times of uncertainty. Ideas for Leaders. https://ideasforleaders.com/Ideas/visionary-leadership-are-most-needed-in-times-of-uncertainty/

Incredible People. (2025, May 6). Leveraging vision and purpose in times of uncertainty. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leveraging-vision-purpose-times-uncertainty-incredible-people-tuazc

Jamail, N. (n.d.). The role of vision in leadership: Inspiring and guiding teams. Nathan Jamail, https://nathanjamail.com/the-role-of-vision-in-leadership-inspiring-and-guiding-teams/

Michigan Ross School of Business. (2024, March 28). Leading through uncertainty with positive leadership. University of Michigan. https://michiganross.umich.edu/programs/executive-education/insights/leading-through-uncertainty-positive-leadership

Jon-Rune Nygård

Leadership coach and advisor

Telephone

(+47) 95 70 64 64

emailing

post@symbio.no

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