When you think of the world’s greatest leaders, who comes to mind? Political figures are likely to feature highly, such as Churchill, Roosevelt, Thatcher and Mandela, their policies and activities being key to shaping our lives on many levels. From Paul Russell co-founder and director of Luxury Academy London.
Then there are leaders who have instigated social change, such as Gandhi and military leaders like Nelson, Sun Tzu and Alexander the Great. And so you may ask, what relevance do these great leaders have to me and my leadership? The essence of leadership comes in encouraging others to follow you in pursuit of a goal, and this hold true whether the followers behind you number 2 or 2 million. Here are the 5 leadership qualities of the world’s greatest leaders that are as relevant to you as to them.
Vision: Mandela had a vision for a democratic South Africa, Gandhi for an independent India, Roosevelt for internationalism, Churchill for freedom. What united these great leaders was their commitment to a vision, a state of being or a way of life that they saw as more than just the most desirable outcome but as the only outcome that would do, an outcome that would take perseverance, commitment and drive to achieve. Having vision as a leader is your raison d’être, your mission statement and as you pin your team’s colours to your shirt, holding a placard aloft, you’re making a proclamation, setting out your wares and inviting others to join you.
Communication: Almost all of the great leaders were great communicators. Once they’d set out their stall and decided what they were selling, their next aim was to let everyone know about it, and of course, to turn them into not only loyal and regular customers but brand advocates. As Roosevelt led America on a journey from isolationism to internationalism under the shadow of WW2 with his regular addresses to the nation, he knew he had to completely flip attitudes and perceptions, and really is this much different from what leaders up and down the country today are aiming to achieve? To persuade a board, to encourage shareholders in a different direction, all require practised, professional and precise articulation of a vision of a different path.
Motivation of others: Good leaders have vision and can communicate this effectively, bringing others on board, but great leaders also know how to keep a steady drum of footsteps following in their wake by regularly motivating their followers. Churchill was known for his rousing speeches, transformational appeals and engaging style. He spoke directly to his listener in a simple way that was passionate, and heartfelt. Similarly, Alexander the Great would seek to empower his army before battle with his words of wisdom. Many leaders fail in this area, expecting that the recruitment to the cause will suffice. But followers are human with human failings, they tire, get bored or are enticed by the sparkly offerings of others. After the work put in to win them, don’t let followers fall by the wayside for want of a little encouragement.
Determination: Churchill became Prime Minister at the relatively advanced age of 65 after a career littered with skirmishes with his peers, a less determined man have opted out. Mandela spent over 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa’s first black Prime Minister in his 70s but said that it was this time that strengthened his resolve to his vision, indeed even what shaped his vision. Gandhi endured four spells of incarceration for his attempts to stand up against discrimination, whilst Thatcher experienced significant discrimination from corners disapproving of a mother with young children pursuing a political career. All leaders will experience set-backs, but great leaders have the determination to push on.
Strength: Some of the world’s most influential leaders were both loved and hated. The assumption could be that great leadership is synonymous with popularity but the reality is that leaders who are conveying a vision that could be at odds with current or accepted thinking will always court controversy. For every proponent of a great leader, it is likely that you can also unearth an antagonist, for every policy you attempt to implement, there will almost certainly follow some resistance. Great leaders will always be the front line for complaints but their strength of character means they would never wilt in the face of criticism. Great leaders know that no matter how they may be feeling on the inside, it is what they show on the outside that counts.
