Since humanity can remember, there have been kings, queens and leaders. Attached to their presumed power, were different kinds of people. They were called by several titles: Chamberlains, entourage, court jesters etc. Boomers called them: Posse. Today, we call them: Clout.

Without diving into a long article about abuse of power and other things, let’s take a lighter stroll, it is after all the beginning of the year and we want to start off with a great vibe, so here it goes. Cue Irish music with intruding violin to set the tone.

People in power are often burdened by a long list of decisions to make, on the daily. Every step they take or word they utter, can impact thousands of people in their court or under their ruling. A scary thing, if you try and quantify it. Imagine getting into an argument with the king next door and BAM! Your ties are severed, only to realize after your blood cools down that you needed to keep it diplomatic because their lumberjacks provide your kingdom with the best quality of wood. Now you have all nine carpenters in your small kingdom and subsequently the remaining of their family (that were not affected by the plague) without wood to work with to earn a living.

The burden of power created a need for people in those positions to be distracted; Entertained. It is a way to forget the current events and engage in heartfelt and light forms of social engagements and arts. Even though nowadays, entertainment comes in all shapes and forms, the original form of entertainment was and will always remain: people.

People in power would always surround themselves with people. People to help them with daily tasks such as the chamberlains and the maids. People to have conversations with and discuss day to day socials, such as the entourage. People to entertain them and their guests such as the court jesters.

All three types of people (and there are way more) served one purpose for the ruler which is entertainment. That was key: it keeps him or her in a great mood in hopes of waking up into the cycle the next day and have enough mental energy to make great beneficial moves.

Yet, when enemies come knocking on the kingdom’s door, a global war or even an uprising within the kingdom, these people are the first to be disposed of. The king or queen would assemble the soldiers first and decide on the best course of action to preserve the kingdom and its interests. There have been zero cases in history where a raging war is knocking on the doors and the king or queen ran in the court looking for the court jesters to hear a joke. It’s just the truth.

When a person of power is faced with dire circumstances, he or she looks for people who can lead under their vision, take some of the heat and get results. This is why soldiers held the highest esteem in their respective kingdoms. A soldier was seen as a defender, a brave soul and most importantly, a person acting under the ruler’s consent and blessing.

Today, as the world stands with all that is happening, people of this small rock that is ever so getting away from its sun (I had to google that fact, scared the bees wax out of my brain) are looking up to comedians as a source of truth, power and heroism because soldiers are seen as a killing tool to people abusing power (couldn’t keep the promise I made at the beginning of this piece).

Yet, I find it boggling to see the same people missing the opportunity to rebalance their own worlds at least.

You are the king or queen of your own kingdom. That kingdom being your career, life, dreams whatever! In order to preserve your ruling over your kingdom, you need soldiers. You don’t need court jesters, maids, chamberlains or entourage. But you absolutely need soldiers. With your own kingdom you need to abuse your power. You need to attach yourself hard to the throne. The only way to do so is by building an army of people who are willing to fight for your throne when the time is right. You need them, remember that.

And you will in return, do the same for your soldiers. But make sure you are a soldier in their personal army as well, because if not: you’re merely a court jester and all you will ever be in their story … is a joke.

And that’s just awful. Happy New Year.

George Tarabay is a marketing expert Filmmaker/Comedian/Podcaster. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, SoundCloud @GeorgeTarabay. Photo by Levi Saunders on Unsplash.