This is the second and final post in a two-part series on leadership lessons learned from Mandela. If you have not read the first post, it can be found here. Each point is a lesson taken from his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. If, like me, you are interested in leadership and how to do it better, you will find these lessons useful.
- Be a lifelong learner. In his book ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ Steven Covey urged his readers to sharpen the saw. It is clear that Mandela took self-development seriously. He continued to study law via correspondence through the University of London even whilst detained in a maximum security prison. Mandela possessed a no-excuses approach when it came to cultivating his mind. What a fine example to imitate!
- Leaders cultivate physical fitness. Whether it was honing his boxing skills as a student and practising lawyer, or doing callisthenics and running on the spot in his cell as a prisoner on Robben Island, Mandela took health and fitness seriously. Leaders need physical fitness to sustain the daily challenges of the task.
- Be kind. It’s admirable how Mandela treated his jailors and others who could have easily been considered the enemy. Mandela saw the humanity in everyone. Whether it was speaking to them about their families or sharing fresh vegetables from the garden he built on the prison ground, Mandela often chose kindness over hate.
- Disagree well. There aren’t many leaders who are able to talk with their enemies. A remarkable leadership practice of Mandela’s was his willingness to engage in civil dialogue with the opposition. Whether it was sitting down with F.W de Klerk or Colonel Badenhorst, such was his utter commitment to the cause that he risked his public reputation by doing so. It was precisely his ability to engage in civil dialogue that allowed Mandela to dismantle the apartheid regime.
- Play the long game. This final point is perhaps the most overlooked approach in leadership. So many of us believe we can create significant change overnight. Maybe this is symptomatic of our have now, pay later culture, but in achieving anything of substance, short-termism is folly. Choose to commit and then choose to show up. Everyday. It took the ANC over fifty years and countless lives to bring about racial justice and equality. What on earth makes you think you can solve complex problems in 12 months!? Play the long game.
Possibly include some features e.g. sharpeville Massacre ,chief Buchalazie party’s massacres.
Having been a senior in several schools, I can clearly see how each one of these leadership principles can be applied to an education context. Whether it was having to change tactics to achieve a mission, or put aside my own hostilities to speak and collaborate with those I disagreed with, there are many overlaps in my experience as a leader. Mandela’s book provides valuable lessons on leadership and I advise everyone should read a copy.