Leadership Lessons from History's Great Leaders

 

Adventure | Image Credit | Valentin Antonucci | Pexels

There are lessons all around us. Throughout history great and weak leaders have taught us what to do and what not to do. Studying what has come before is a great way to understand what can still come before us. History repeats itself, so studying it, helps you to prepare.  Below are several lessons from leaders throughout history that you can apply to your life today. 

Courage - Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill had a wide and varied career. From a soldier, to serving numerous positions in the British Empire to finally serving as the prime minister. Throughout his career Churchill has numerous opportunities to demonstrate courage. In fact many times during Churchill's career, he took unpopular positions. He advocated for things that may not have been the easy route. He did this not because he wanted to be a contrarian, but because he believed in these ideas and was willing to take an unpopular stance for what he believed in. Courage is not about being foolish, but about understanding the risk, the danger and moving ahead. Courage is about acknowledging your own fears and pressuring forward anyway. 

There is a Churchill about courage, where he said that it was... 

"The first of human qualities because it is the quality that guarantees all others."

The lesson here is that courage is required to strike out in a new direction. It is through courage that we try new things. Courage allows new ideas to blossom against the criticism of common knowledge. Without courage we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past, or fail to learn them through arrogance. Be courageous. Acknowledge your fears and fight on for what you believe in despite them. 

The Future Exists Because of What Came Before - Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States. He had previously served as the Vice President, as Governor, State Assemblyman as well as many other positions. In his personal life he also was keen to adventure living as a Cowboy in the Dakotas, Ranching and once taking a trip to the Amazon where he almost died of tropical diseases. He ran for president on numerous occasions, winning the 26th presidency. Under his presidency he had numerous successes including building the Panama Canal, creating the United States' national parks, forests and monuments and winning a Nobel Peace Prize.

Of the things that Roosevelt had always been a student of was history. He believed that what came before would shape the future. He was quoted as saying...

"There is nothing cheaper than to sneer at and belittle the great men and great deeds and great thoughts of a bygone time - unless it is to magnify them and ascribe preposterous and impossible virtues to the period."

He was talking about the habit of people to look at what came before them and to laugh at or make fun of it for being antiquated and old. To attempt to judge the actions of those that came before with the lens and morals of today. He calls it cheap, because it is. While society continually marches forward and becomes more inclusive and diverse we can learn a lesson here. It is OK to not agree with the morals or all of the actions of those that came before us, while still having respect for the great accomplishments that those people had. 

Be a great communicator - Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan, was another United States President. He took office in 1980 as the 40th president of the United States. Raegan had started his career in the Army Reserves after college, then becoming a sports announcer, a very famous Hollywood Actor before moving into politics where he served as Governor of California and eventually won his second bid for the President of the United States.

One of the things that was consistent about Raegan throughout his career was his knack for communication. Often referred to as the great communicator, Reagan was a master at communicating a bold vision. Ensuring that those on the receiving end understood that vision and why they were doing it. He didn't like the title of the "Great Communicator", rather preferring to stay that he communicated "Great Things". The American people clearly agreed and elected him to a landslide victory for a second term.

Great communicators can take complicated ideas and communicate them clearly and effectively, so that all of those listening understand what is happening, why it is happening and what they need to do. There is a quote by a Reagan official, Frank Blake that illustrates this well. 

"Every day when I got up and went to work, I knew what I had to do."

Many people get to work everyday not knowing what to do. They don't know what the vision or goals they and their organization are trying to achieve. As a leader, it is your responsibility to define and communicate clearly exactly what is expected of those on your team. 

The best leaders are genuine- General Stanley McChristal

General McChristal, now retired, was known for his command of the Joint Special Operations Command. He served numerous positions within the Army, beginning as a Lieutenant and being promoted to more and more responsible positions throughout his career. He was known for being an officer that was willing to speak up. When others were afraid to say what they were thinking, General McChristal was not. He would wade into a conversation and state and honest and sometimes unpopular opinion if it was what he truly believed in. 

He believed in honesty and being genuine and was quoted about this very subject...

"I found soldiers would tolerate my being less of a leader than I hoped to be, but they would not forgive me being less than I claimed to be. Simple honestly matters."

This is a lesson that I've learned in my own career as well. You should always be honest and authentic. People can see right through a fake persona created to curry favor. People are attracted and want to work and follow those that are honest, authentic and have bold vision. Leadership is about getting people to struggle with you toward a common goal. The best leaders are honest and authentic. They tell the truth and act as only themselves. Be honest and authentic. 

Leadership is resilient - Ernest Shackelton

Ernest Shackleton was an adventurer. He had big goals and lots of experience. Near the beginning of the twentieth century, Shackelton struck out with the goal of traversing the Antarctic continent. He and 27 men set sail for the South Pole, confident that they would both reach the pole and cross to the other side of the content. Unfortunately disaster struck along the way and his ship became trapped in ice. Many other men would have been unable to move forward. Many would have panicked, but Shakelton did not. All 27 men lived through the disaster and returned home. 

Being trapped in the Antarctic ice is a terrifying prospect. The bitter cold, the wind, the lack of food and danger of dying is constant in the Antarctic. It is one of the most inhospitable environments on earth. Rather than folding under pressure Shakleton was resilient. When faced with challenges he turned head on to face them. Though during this time, they had many failures and many setbacks, Shaketon was not deterred. He continued to exhibit optimism and craft a vision for his men of success. They continued to believe and follow him through the ordeal. After more than a year on the ice the men were eventually rescued. 

There is a wonderful quote about Shaketon by one of the men that served under him, FA Worsley...

"Shaketon had a genius - it was neither more nor less than that - for keeping those about him in high spirits. We loved him. To me, he was a brother. The men felt the cold it is true; but he had inspired the kind of loyalty which prevented them from allowing themselves to get depressed over anything."

There are lessons about leadership all around us. Everyday that we interact with other people they are teaching what to do and what not to do. Be a student of your own life and own experiences. Learn from your own success and failures and listen to others who talk about theirs. These experiences can only seek to better inform your own strategies and goals. 

What have you learned about leadership in your life? What lessons drive your actions? What things do you not do or choose to do because of the lessons of others? I want to hear about it! Post below or contact me!