A Principle to Die for?
I am the first accused.
I have cherished the ideal [principle] of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
20 April 1964.
It is the 60th anniversary of Mr Mandela’s profound lesson on the practice of a life and leadership principle.
- That we humans have equivalency—that the quality and value of each life is inseparable from other’s lives.
He had hope through his actions to achieve this ideal, and if needs be to lay down his life in its pursuit.
Do you and I have a principle, just one, that we live for (and by), and that we would die for, or spend 27 years in prison for?
What are your life principles?
What are your leadership principles?
We tend to examine and criticise other people, often those in powerful roles, such as presidents, CEOs, so-called celebrities and sports ‘idols’, school principals, parents—anybody with great leverage over other people—looking for their PRACTICED principles.
Yes, we should expect others to have and practice fundamental truths, i.e., principles.
However, we should start with ourselves.
(Remember, the first Influential Leadership Behavioural Attribute is self-awareness).
We are each required to choose our principles, and to live and lead by them.
There are of course many people who exercise no choice in these matters—they live from moment to moment with expediency and dishonour as their master.
This is why there are so few Mandela’s…
If you would like to read Mr Mandela’s full statement, you will find it here: I am the first accused. There is also a video attached to a link in the document.
Those of us who choose to practice Influential Leadership live by a set of eight Principles, presented in the infographic below.
They leave no wiggle room to practice Leadership any other way.
These are our rails, our guides that keep us on track no matter the events, conditions or circumstances.
Take time out to review your life and leadership principles, and most importantly, assess whether you practice them.
Principles on a list, or in our minds, are useless—we must practice them.
A headsup for next week.
There have been many queries about leadership and management, or leadership versus management…
Our Leadership Weekly Note will tackle this fundamental question.
Regards,
Colin @ Karoo
We Activate Apex Skills!
Leadership Weekly Note: 1724.220424
e: colind@karoo.world
Follow The Karoo Influential Leadership on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KarooInfluentialLeadership
