"The Lord of the Rings, the masterpiece of the South African-born English writer John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, is a classic of fantasy literature, always subject to speculation: Is it, as Asimov claimed, a critique of industrial society and a hymn to ecology? A denunciation of Nazi Germany and war in general, given that the author lived through both major European conflicts? Or is it simply a timeless work that presents universal values such as friendship, good, greed or the attraction of evil? Tolkien repeatedly denied any double (or triple) meaning, beyond his desire to create a mythological world applicable to his homeland.

The plot of the saga is well known: Sauron, the Dark Lord, is looking for a ring lost centuries ago that, due to various circumstances (narrated in "The Hobbit") has fallen into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, an inhabitant of the Shire. The wizard Gandalf the Grey urges him to destroy it, but Bilbo, unable to do so, flees and leaves the ring to his nephew Frodo. Thus begins the story.

As with the meaning of the work, there may also be doubts about the protagonist (the "leader") of the epic: who is he really? In its pages there are great characters: Aragorn, strong and resilient, is called to be king; Gandalf is a powerful wizard; Boromir bravely defends the threatened world of men; the elves have superhuman qualities; and the dwarves, an enormous capacity for work. And the hobbits? They are short beings, lovers of tobacco, drinking and singing, family and tranquility. They are "the halflings" because they live on Earth average, but also because they do not stand out for anything special.

And yet, the unlikely protagonist of the saga is a hobbit: Frodo Baggins, faithful, honest, manager, humble... but overconfident and unskilled in the art of war. Despite this, he is appointed bearer of the One Ring, capable of destroying the world, to take it to Mount Doom, where it will be destroyed: "This mission statement has been entrusted to you. If you do not find the way, no one else will". Reluctantly, Frodo accepts the task and puts his talents (including his life) at stake to reach Mordor and fulfill it. A goal, a person determined to achieve it, many difficulties: the path of leadership. But even if he takes the initiative and goes ahead, that person needs others who understand his weaknesses and limitations. "I can't do this alone," Frodo points out. For someone at the helm of a big task, the smartest thing to do is always to ask financial aid.

Thus, he begins his journey accompanied by the members of the Fellowship of the Ring who oppose Sauron, the Dark Lord. But when the greed of Boromir, a man, makes him lose his head and attacks Frodo ("The hearts of men are easily corrupted"), he decides to continue alone.

Readers of Tolkien's work know that, left to his own devices (forgetting the requested financial aid ), Frodo would never have finished his task: fatigue overcomes him and he regrets having accepted the mission statement ("I wish the ring had never come to me"); he empathizes too much with Gollum, a hobbit's wreck enslaved by the ring; his will breaks down before the siren songs of the golden ring, without, like Ulysses, knowing how to take precautions... Fortunately he is not alone. He is accompanied by someone who keeps a cool head and (huge) feet on the ground: Sam, his gardener, "protector of what grows".

Samsagaz Gamyi, who knows well his master (employer, we would say today) and the weight he carries, follows him when he leaves the Community. He takes care of him, preventing the mission statement from engulfing him: he sees to it that he eats and drinks, that he rests; he carries him when he cannot walk; he lucidly distrusts those who falsely present themselves as friends (Gollum, Boromir). In final, he puts sanity in a crazy status . Degree In this sense, the character created by Tolkien is reminiscent of the endearing Sancho from the pen of Cervantes: both protect a gentleman who, for various reasons, lives in his own world, and try to smooth his way.

Several dangers lie in wait for the entrepreneur: in order to achieve his goal, he may neglect his family ties, his physical and mental health, his intellectual growth, his friendships... In addition, an overconfidence may result in an erroneous evaluation of the obstacles, thus ruining his efforts. That is why it is important to have a Gamyi (individual or collective) who understands and advises you, and whose indications you want to follow. Because any financial aid is useless if it is despised.

That person or group is the direct object required by the verb "to lead": someone who shares the journey, maintains a healthy emotional distance, knows the person well at position, meets their (reasonable) needs and moderates their demands. It is not always easy to work alongside someone designated to take a project forward; it is not easy to be Sam. Supporting the leader requires the maturity to understand and appreciate one's own role, as well as a strong interest in completing the common purpose . Without Sam, without a sensible and optimistic "medium", Frodo would have failed. To achieve your goals, never act alone, put a Gamyi (or two) in your life.