Don't let the title mislead you, Arlbeth told her. The king is simply the visible one. I'm so visible, in fact, that most of the important work has to be done by other people.Nonsense, said Tor.Arlbeth chuckled. Your loyalty does you honor, but you're in the process of becoming too visible to be effective yourself, so what do you know about it?
by Robin McKinley
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A conversation takes place between Arlbeth and Tor regarding the nature of authority and visibility. Arlbeth explains that although he holds the title of king, it is other individuals who perform the critical tasks behind the scenes, as his position requires him to be prominently seen. This highlights the paradox in leadership, where being highly visible can hinder one's effectiveness, contrary to what one might assume about power and responsibility.

Tor, exhibiting loyalty to Arlbeth, dismisses the notion that visibility could limit effectiveness. Arlbeth humorously points out that Tor himself is becoming too visible to maintain his efficacy. This exchange underscores the complexities of leadership, where true impact often occurs away from the spotlight, and raises questions about the balance between presence and usefulness in roles of authority.

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January 30, 2025

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