The big-shot, revolutionary Communist leaders wanted to do the fun and exciting parts (for idea-people, anyway) like speeches and pamphlets and vicious arguments. Who likes paperwork and details?! So, they allowed a minor thug worry about the nitty-gritty secretarial paperwork. He’s willing to volunteer? Phew!
The volunteer was just “general secretary” of the Central Committee. Effective service gained him respect, as service always does. The volunteer got to know everyone who was “central”. The volunteer began to fill important positions with his friends. Eventually, the volunteer took over everything and killed one or two of the grand old leaders.
Today this volunteer is quite (in)famous. I’m talking about Joseph (Vissarionovich) Stalin, of course.
Think: Marxist superstructure of society.
Here’s Lenin’s prosaic opinion of bookkeeping: essential but boring!
That’s the story. Here’s the lesson: it might be a good idea to volunteer for a place you believe in…
- Do what others won’t do.
- Become “indispensable” (look it up).
- Let others take the credit.
“Eighty percent of success is showing up.”
– Woody Allen
Bamidbar Rabba 21:14:
… אמר לו הקב”ה, נוצר תאנה יאכל פריה. בניך ישבו להם ולא עסקו בתורה, יהושע הרבה שרתך והרבה חלק לך כבוד והוא היה משכים ומעריב בבית הועד שלך, הוא היה מסדר את הספסלים והוא פורס את המחצלאות. הואיל והוא שרתך בכל כחו כדאי הוא שישמש את ישראל שאינו מאבד שכרו, קח לך את יהושע בן נון, לקיים מה שנאמר נוצר תאנה יאכל פריה.
Take on responsibility to gain more of it. You won’t have many competitors…