Think Like a Leader

What Do Leaders’ Biographies Teach?

Besides the mundane joy, knowing about famous persons fills us up with unfamiliar views from lives well lived.

Learning from mistakes.

The biggest boon for us is that we can lead our lives a little better. Some things worked out – and will – and others won’t. Luckily, people have figured it out for us.

Elements of leadership.

Leaders of different kingdoms and groups share the same key traits:

Persuasion power.

Compelling through words is a must if you want to spread your way of doing things.

Truth, troubling or pleasant.

Backing out for you think what you say may offend others won’t work. You need to observe keenly and report fact.

Courage.

It doesn’t take skill in warfare to make a strong leader. But it requires being the first in line and in public with no assurance of safety. Hence, all leaders need bravery.

Making friends.

The pacifists have emerged the victors over the course of history. For they kept close relations and kept them well. Above all, these men were people’s heroes.

Here are the great men whose ways of thinking turned the world upside down:

Abraham Lincoln (American)

You can’t pin him down at one spot. Eric Foner, American Historian

Lincoln educated himself, so he turned out well-versed in law. In all the land, there wasn’t a single man who would talk over his speaking. Lincoln was versatile: his views were flexible. For example, he used to believe that slavery in America would take 100 years to end. Later, he figured out: there’s a more rapid way. Lincoln proved that democracy needn’t mean slavery. This opposed his competitors’ views. Lincoln fixed the American Civil War with a view to realizing the American dream: stopping racism. Thus, he changed the face of America and taught us: versatility is key.

(Bangabandhu) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangladeshi)

(“Do you hope [Bangladesh] will be in the Commonwealth?”) You see, this much I can say: I am not against the Commonwealth. If I get the recognition, then my government will consider it. [Lights cigar] Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Bangabandhu freed Bangladeshis from the wicked Pakistani regime and opened arms to the world. He kept firm faith in secularism in a country that colliding extremists riddled with clash. The British Raj split in two in 1947; ever since, the West Pakistanis played with the East like a fragile toy. Bangabandhu was a suitable leader; so out came the waving flag in ’71. Now his people invent tech and bring world peace. For example, they found the jute genome and the army serves in UN peacekeeping.

Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi (Indian)

(“Would you lay down your life for India’s emancipation?”) It’s a poor question. [Laughs] Mahatma Gandhi

Millions of deaths do not bring about change. Gandhi knew this, and that the answer was calm, prudent thinking. And so he paved an apt way to free India: civil disobedience. With no conflict, men and women really listened to the orator walking British streets semi-nude. Thus, non-violent Gandhi wrote his name in the books as the rebel who freed India and thousands of her subcultures.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (American)

We can not be content while the Negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a bigger one. Martin Luther King, Jr.

King, Jr. led the Civil Rights Movement that set afoot the freedom of black Americans. The Minister’s strict schooling didn’t give him personality conflicts, he says, but yielded discipline. He and his father were a Minister and pastor. He thinks the restrictions laid down made him a better man. Martin Luther King, Jr. kept faith in religion and his now-iconic dream. As a result, black Americans are where they are now.

Napoleon Bonaparte (French)

An army marches on its belly. Napoleon Bonaparte

Many times all over the world, ill-wishers have libeled the man: short, evil, warmonger. In fact, he was none of that. At the peak of the class divide in Europe, Napoleon – because it was the only way – conquered much of Europe. For the monarchy (a group of super rich) would not let go of their undeserved wealth and power. A pawn – with his sword – crowned himself king. Napoleon was a master of war, and not a speaker. He was also of average height for his time.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (South African)

We are practical men and women. … We do not care whether the cat is black or white as long as it can catch mice. Mandela (partially paraphrasing)

Being a precise man, Mandela told the raw truth. For example, speaking to rivals and nemeses, he would point out the parts, in full, where their thoughts split. He spoke to world leaders and shook those hands he knew to trust. He worked based on altruism despite a world of critique. As part of his most impressive feat, Mandela garnered worldwide support to end the worst racial tragedy. Hence, he freed millions of blacks whom apartheid had silenced.

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (British)

The story: when Pearl Harbor was bombed, [Churchill] was joyful. Not as America had been attacked, but as he knew that America would join the war – so it could be won. Tom Brokaw, Journalist

Churchill is one of the best speakers: he’s won the Nobel Prize for Literature. He fought with words – we revere him for his great speech (despite early trouble speaking). For example, take that he made crowds, those too of great minds, cheer with passion. Again, he was a frontline fighter and cavalier before the world got to know his name. As he was rich, he had the chances, and he took them and thrived.

Sun Tzu (or Sun Wu)

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. Sun Tzu. The Art Of War.

Thousands of years ago, other generals used violent techniques whence they made deadly weapons. But Sun Tzu did not go down that road. Instead, he used psychological warfare. Tzu says in the Art Of War: flee from the strong and rule the weak. As he saw truths at the front and wrote them, he outperformed his foes. The book still affects all combats today. Think of what he could’ve done had the study of mind existed back then.