I’ve not commented on the death of Nelson Mandela. Now the noise about the great man has died down, I thought I would offer a couple of thoughts on what made him a great leader. And I believe he truly was.
I’ve mentioned it before - on every leadership programme, when we ask people to name the ‘great’ leaders, the same names come up. Churchill, Gandhi, Thatcher (no dialogue will be entered into – opinions vary), and of course Mandela. Then there is a debate: Churchill was great, or he was an arrogant drunkard. He certainly had strong opinions, and clashed with another of the ‘greats’ – Gandhi. In 1930 he declared that ‘that Gandhi-ism and everything it stands for will have to be grappled with and crushed’. And Gandhi said of Gandhi-ism “There is no such thing as ‘Gandhi-ism’, and I do not want to leave any sect after me. I do not claim to have originated any new principle or doctrine. I have simply tried in my own way to apply the eternal truths to our daily life and problems. The opinions I have formed and the conclusions I have arrived at are not final. I may change them tomorrow. I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills’. So there you go. Churchill was great in many ways, and led the country through a war. Gandhi toppled the British Empire and starred in a film.
Now, to Mr Mandela… He was a great leader because:
His name was Rolihlahla Mandela. He was named Nelson at primary school by his school teacher Miss Mdingane. If you want to know how to pronounce Rolihlahla, look here. http://bit.ly/196C99K
My point? More leaders should think about the example they set for others.
And wear pretty shirts.
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