Rising to the Moment
Preparation Meets Opportunity
History is filled with stories of people who rose to the moment when it mattered most. From Cicero’s defense of the Roman Republic to Eisenhower’s leadership during World War II, the common thread is clear: preparation. It’s not about waiting for greatness to be handed to you; it’s about being ready when the call comes. And while the stakes may differ, all of us face moments—big and small—where we are called to step up, both in life and in business. Whether it’s a crisis at work, a tough personal decision, or a chance to take the lead in your community, the question remains the same: Will you be ready when your moment arrives?
The lessons from history aren’t just for the history books. They show us how anyone, in any era, can step up when it counts. So, how do we rise to the occasion when it’s our turn?
Relentless Preparation
Cicero’s rise is a perfect example of how preparation creates opportunity. Born into a modest family, he wasn’t destined for greatness by birthright. But what he lacked in status, he made up for with an unyielding dedication to learning. Cicero didn’t wait for someone to hand him success. He worked for it. While others partied, he wrote. Night after night, he produced hundreds of lines of text, sharpening his mind for the battles he would later face in the Senate.
When Cicero finally took office as consul in 63 BC, Rome was in the throes of political and economic chaos. His rival, Catiline, plotted to overthrow the government, gathering an army to seize control of the Republic. Cicero, having spent years honing his skills, delivered a series of speeches that exposed the conspiracy and thwarted the coup without shedding a drop of blood. This moment wasn’t an accident. It was the result of relentless preparation.
Cicero reminds us that the moments we face tomorrow are shaped by the work we do today. Whether it’s staying late to finish a project, learning a new skill, or preparing for a tough conversation, greatness is built brick by brick in the quiet moments of discipline.
Seizing Leadership in Crisis
Dwight D. Eisenhower faced a similar call to rise during one of the most dangerous periods in modern history—World War II. As Supreme Commander of Allied forces, Eisenhower was responsible for orchestrating the D-Day invasion, one of the most daring and complex military operations in history. The stakes couldn’t have been higher. The survival of millions and the future of Europe hung in the balance.
But Eisenhower didn’t flinch. He had spent years building his leadership capabilities, studying military strategy, and learning from both successes and failures. When the moment came for him to lead, he was ready. He meticulously planned the operation, considering every possible scenario, and inspired his troops to carry out a mission that helped turn the tide of the war. Eisenhower’s preparation and calm under pressure demonstrate that leadership is not something you are born into; it’s something you prepare for.
Courage in the Face of Fear
Rising to the moment isn’t just about preparation and skill; it’s also about courage. Courage isn’t only about bold acts in times of crisis—it’s also about the everyday decisions we make when the right path is harder to take. It’s about standing firm when it’s easier to back down, and speaking up when it’s easier to stay silent.
Take the example of Rosa Parks. She wasn’t a politician or a public figure at the time. She was an ordinary citizen who made an extraordinary decision when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955. That single act of defiance helped ignite the civil rights movement. But this wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. Parks had spent years quietly working as an activist, preparing for the moment when she would be called to rise. Her courage reminds us that standing up for what’s right, even in small everyday situations, often requires immense bravery.
Whether it’s standing up to a difficult client, taking a difficult stand in a meeting, or making a tough call for your business, courage means acting even when fear is present.
Learning from Failure
One of the greatest barriers to rising to the moment is the fear of failure. But failure, when framed correctly, is just another form of preparation. Cicero faced exile later in his career, and Eisenhower dealt with military setbacks before achieving victory in Europe. Both men could have let these failures define them, but they didn’t. They learned from their mistakes and came back stronger.
Failure teaches us resilience. It forces us to rethink our strategies, develop thicker skin, and keep going when things get tough. Rising to the moment often requires embracing failure as a necessary step in the journey toward success. It’s not about avoiding mistakes; it’s about learning from them and using that knowledge to be better prepared for the next challenge.
Everyday Moments Matter
Not every defining moment comes with dramatic speeches or historical consequences. In our daily lives, we face small moments that test our character and resolve. It could be a difficult conversation with a team member, a chance to take on a new project, or standing up for a principle in a meeting. These everyday moments are just as important as the larger ones. They shape who we are and how we’ll respond when the big challenges come.
The truth is, we are all being prepared for something. Life gives us opportunities to train, to practice, and to refine our skills, often without us realizing it. Whether it’s through tough decisions at work, personal struggles, or unexpected setbacks, we are constantly in training for the next moment that will require us to rise.
Rising to Meet Your Moment
The question isn’t if you’ll face your moment—it’s when. Will you be ready when your opportunity comes? Cicero didn’t know when he would need to save the Republic, but he prepared every day as if he might be called to do so. Eisenhower didn’t know that he would lead the Allied forces, but he spent his career preparing for such a challenge.
Each of us is training for something, whether we realize it or not. Will we have the courage to rise when our moment comes? The only way to ensure we’re ready is to prepare as if the call could come at any time.
Rising to the moment isn’t reserved for history books. It’s about preparing, working, and building the courage to act when the time comes. Cicero, Eisenhower, and Rosa Parks all show us that the key to rising is to be ready—to take action when destiny taps us on the shoulder.
You may not know when your moment will come, but you can choose how you prepare for it. And when it does arrive, will you rise?