Backblast! Milton’s Ladder
DATE: 2026-07-30
AO: The Battlefield
Q: @Milton,
PAX: @F’Bomb @Dexter @Ray gun @Milton @86 @Fansville @Bass Pro
FNGs: None
COUNT: 7
WARMUP:
- Harry Rocquettes
- Copperhead Squats
- Bird dogs
THE THANG:
- Milton’s Ladder
MARY: no ANNOUNCEMENTS: not really COT: Leadership lessons from The Odyssey Saw this movie this week and WOW- it is replete with great leadership lessons! Some we chatted about to round out Lead Right 1. Ego Can Destroy Everything Story: After escaping the Cyclops, Odysseus and his men are finally safe. But instead of quietly sailing away, he can’t resist shouting back his name and boasting about his victory. The Cyclops, Polyphemus, is the son of Poseidon, and Odysseus’s pride provokes Poseidon into pursuing him for years. That single decision sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately costs every one of his men their lives.
- One moment of pride changed everything.
- Ego created consequences far beyond what Odysseus could see.
- His men paid the price for their leader’s arrogance.
- Leadership Lesson: The cost of a leader’s ego is often paid by the people he leads.
- Lead Right: Humility protects your team.
2. Leaders Go First Story: Throughout the movie and Homer’s original, Odysseus repeatedly steps into danger before asking his men to follow. Whether entering the Cyclops’ cave, sailing into unknown waters, or facing impossible odds, he never asks his crew to go somewhere he isn’t willing to go first.
- Leaders set the example.
- Never ask others to do what you won’t.
- Leadership Lesson: Example always outweighs instruction.
- Lead Right: Courage is contagious.
3. Trust Is Hard Earned, but Easily Lost Story: By the time Odysseus reaches the island of Helios, years of hardship and repeated losses have worn down his crew’s trust. He warns them not to touch the sacred cattle and tells them exactly what will happen if they do. But exhausted, starving, and no longer fully trusting his leadership, they ignore him. The result is catastrophic—the gods destroy the ship, and every crew member perishes.
- Trust is built slowly but lost instantaneously
- Credibility determines whether people follow when it matters most.
- Clear instructions mean little without earned trust.
- Leadership Lesson: Leadership isn’t just giving direction; it’s earning trust.
- Lead Right: Protect your credibility. Your team will eventually follow the leader you’ve consistently shown yourself to be.
4. Comfort Is the Greatest Temptation Story: In the movie, Calypso’s island represents the temptation to stay where life is comfortable. In Homer’s original, she even offers Odysseus immortality if he’ll remain with her forever. Despite every comfort imaginable, his heart still longs for home.
- Comfort offers an easier path.
- Purpose calls us somewhere greater.
- Leadership Lesson: Comfort can keep us from our calling.
- Lead Right: Choose purpose over comfort.
5. Build Accountability Before Temptation Story: As Odysseus approaches the Sirens, he knows their song is irresistible. Instead of trusting his own willpower, he has his crew tie him to the mast and orders them not to release him—even if he begs.
- Prepare before temptation comes.
- Don’t rely on willpower alone.
- Leadership Lesson: Strong leaders build guardrails.
- Lead Right: Give others permission to hold you accountable.
Praise for @Bass Pro’s successful baby birth of their first born Oliver! Send us pics @Bass Pro! 😜 Prayers for @86 and his father as his family navigate a serious health condition and are navigating the dynamics of the family through the process Prayers for @Fansville’s new pastor of their church as he and his family recently relocated here and are staying in an Airbnb while they look for a home.
