Who was Odysseus?

Odysseus (called Ulysses in Latin) was the son of Laertes and was the ruler of the island kingdom of Ithaca. In Homer’s Iliad, he was one of the most prominent Greek leaders of the Trojan War, and was the main character of the Odyssey. He was known for his cleverness and cunning, and for his eloquence as a speaker.

Odysseus is a uniquely rich character in literature.  At first, he tries to avoid fighting in the Trojan Wars, yet he ends as one of the conflict’s great heroes.  Upon the conclusion of the Trojan Wars, Odysseus begins his journey home, which takes him and his men ten years to finish. Along the way, he must face man-eating giants, sirens, and an infatuated Calypso.  During these struggles, Odysseus gradually becomes more focused on what matters most and then pursues it passionately.

Even after he returns home, he faces issues.  His kingdom has declined during his twenty-year adventure, his faithful wife is being pressured to betray her long-absent husband, and his son does not know him.  Still, he perseveres and regains all that he holds as important.

For us, the story of Odysseus inspired us to reflect on the journey we each take.  It is a journey of transformation, where we gain wisdom, experience, and confidence along the way.  Odysseus becomes a centered individual who concentrates on returning to and restoring what matters most. 

The Odysseus Group works with each not-for-profit to define and clarify what matters most to them.  We then help the people connected with that organization achieve their preferred future.  The firm is the brainchild of Mike O’Sullivan and Larry Waller, who decided that they wanted to do more to contribute to the greater good.  Through the methods and processes they have learned through the years, the members of The Odysseus Group facilitate transformational growth for organizations that make our communities and our world a wonderful place to live.