Chapter 105
When Leaders Meet: Power and Doubt
The Emperor rode to the square where, facing one another, a battalion of the Preobrazhénsk regiment stood on the right and a battalion of the French Guards in their bearskin caps on the left. As the Tsar rode up to one flank of the battalions, which presented arms, another group of horsemen galloped up to the opposite flank, and at the head of them Rostóv recognized Napoleon. It could be no one else. He came at a gallop, wearing a small hat, a blue uniform open over a white vest, and the St. Andrew ribbon over his shoulder. He was…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Cognitive Dissonance
Think of a situation where you've defended something or someone despite having private doubts. Draw three columns: 'What I Saw,' 'What I Wanted to Believe,' and 'What I Was Really Protecting.' Fill in each column honestly. This isn't about judging yourself - it's about understanding how your mind works under pressure.
Consider:
- •Consider what you had invested in the original belief (time, money, identity, relationships)
- •Notice whether your defensive reaction was proportional to the actual criticism
- •Think about what it would have cost you to admit the doubts were valid
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you changed your mind about something important despite it being uncomfortable. What helped you push through the discomfort? How did it feel afterward?
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