“You might have to fight a battle more than once to win it”– Margaret Thatcher
We often celebrate how fast something grows — a team, a brand, a company.
But in an organization, what matters most is how well we sustain what we’ve built.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
It’s a beautiful reminder that great things take time — that progress requires patience, consistency, and belief in the process. There are various archeological evidences( as well as described in roman mythologies) that proves the transition of Roman Kingdom to Roman Republic and finally to the mighty Roman empire-spearheaded by the great Julius Caesar and later by Augustus. All of you will be well aware of the scientific, technological, cultural and economical prosperity of Roman empire during this time.
But later, likely in the 2nd century AD, the world started seeing the decline of this mighty empire. One of the primary factors contributing to the decline of the Roman Empire was the instability of its political structure. As the empire expanded, it became increasingly challenging to maintain effective governance. Power struggles, ego clashes, communication breakdown, lack of trust, inner fights etc plagued the empire, creating a climate of uncertainty.
That single headline of this article carries a powerful organizational lesson — one about how fragile success can be if we stop nurturing what we’ve built.
The Slow Build and the Sudden Fall
In life, organization, and business, progress is often slow.
We put in effort day after day — laying bricks of learning, experience, and trust. We celebrate milestones, we expand, we grow.
And then, sometimes, one egoistic moment, one careless act, or one act of neglect – by anyone in the organization( yes anyone- every brick is vital in an organization)can undo it all. A toxic attitude ignored too long. A relationship taken for granted. A reputation built over years lost in seconds.
The lesson is simple yet profound: What we build slowly must be guarded carefully.
Growth without vigilance is always at risk of collapse.
An organization is More Than Building — It’s Sustaining
Anyone can start something NEW. Few can sustain it.
True organizational behavior is not just about creating success — it’s about maintaining it with trust, integrity and awareness. Building a business, a team, or even a meaningful life requires consistent attention. Like a garden, it needs watering, pruning, and care. As the quote in the beginning of this article beautifully mentions- an organization( its people) should never reach a state of complacency. We should never settle for fewer wins. The moment we assume it can run on the glory of the past is often the moment the first spark of fire- the fire of decline, begins.
The Silent Fires We Ignore
In organizations and in life, “fires” rarely start big.
They begin as small sparks — unspoken resentments, unchecked ego, poor communication, lack of gratitude.
Left alone, they spread quietly until one day, they engulf everything we worked for.
An organization which last are those which notice the smoke early — who have the courage to pause and act before the damage is done.
The Power of Patience and Protection
Patience builds. Ego destroys.
Discipline sustains. Neglect erodes.
Great leaders understand that speed is not the same as progress.
They know when to sprint and when to step back — when to celebrate a victory and when to check the foundations again. And like a perfect orchestra, the entire organization sings in harmony- they work collaboratively keeping the success of its customers and organization as the top most priority, than for oneself. No one tries to render an incorrect note, no one fights for internal power, glory or stardom. Building Rome is a journey.
Protecting Rome is a responsibility.
The Takeaway
In your personal life, your career, or your organization — remember this: Everything meaningful takes time to build.
And everything fragile can fall apart in an instant if left unnourished.
So let’s build with care, lead with awareness, and protect with purpose.
That’s how we create organizations that not only grow — but endure. Because while Rome wasn’t built in a day…it can still burn in one.
To all dreamers, As you move forward, take a moment to ask yourself:
- What am I building today that deserves more patience?
- What have I built that needs better protection?
- Am I doing my part to doze off the quiet sparks before they turn into fire?
Your answers will define not just your success — but your legacy.
-Binoj Samuel Thomas
Mindful leadership 