Nelson Mandela

Today is Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

In thinking about his contributions to the world, I was reminded of his leadership style and three things I learned from him and keep close to my heart:

  1. He was a cow herder first and believed in leading from behind.  What I love about this in terms of a leadership style, is that it infers earned respect.  Put your good people out in front to let them shine. Put people who need a boost of confidence, or recognition, out in front.  Set the foundation for a successful shiny moment.
  2. Craig Kielberger (Save the Children Canada and Me to We) when he met with Nelson Mandela was told that the people who needed his prayers and positive energy the most, were delivered to his doorstep every morning, in the form of the newspaper.  We do not have to look very far around ourselves to see who needs some goodness – in whatever form it needs to come in.
  3. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”  In my own life, I’ve learned that I CAN get back up.  I CAN continue.  I did this in the moments where I didn’t think I could. How many times have you fallen in your life?  What have you done to get back up?  What positive messages have you told yourself in order to keep moving?  What did you learn?