A Motiviational Lesson from The Wold Leader Nelson Mandela

Introduction

Nelson Mandela a man born to lead who despite numerous hardships he had faced, lost hope. He gives great lessons of courage, forgiveness and leaving an impact on life through his own. Mandela led an inspiring life the urge one another to try and do better.

The life of Nelson Mandela is a striking narrative on leadership, perseverance and change. The best part of three years later here is a summary of some his wisdom along the way:

Here are Six Lessons from Mandela’s Life.

1.      Courage Beyond Fear:

Presidential Election Campaign 1994: President–elect Mandela bravely climbed onto a small aeroplane, despite suffering acrophobia on the last day of campaigning. His bravery in conquering his own demons helped countless others to find the courage within them to do just that.

2.      Reconciliation and Forgiveness

The Power of Forgiveness: Mandela not only forgave those who did him wrong, he even sat down with his former jailers. This approach helped him lift the yoke of resentment and pave a path to national healing.

3.      Humility and Kindness:

Mentorship : Madiba's mentor Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, instilled virtues like humility, patience and listening. And it's a large part of what made those traits so fundamental to the leadership styles he later built.

4.      Leadership Transition:

Rebel Transformation: Mandela's metamorphosis from a notorious rebel to the President of South Africa, indicates how he evolved as an authentic leader—becoming a true change agent.

Madiba’s Rules:

Courage: Encourage people to go beyond their fears.

Forgiveness: Transition wounds to scars for growth and harmony

Q: How best can one position oneself as humble?

Strategies: When to move from a positional leadership role

Barriers For Mandela During Apartheid

Imprisonment:

An Imprisonment of 27years : Mandela had to undergo squalid prison conditions and solitary confinement in his nearly three-decade long imprisonment. In that respect, it is his stubbornness and perseverance which really saved him.

Suppression of Activism:

Apartheid Regime Opposition: While apartheid divided black and white citizens, such as the African National Congress (ANC), anticolonialist organizations were treated brutally by being arrested or censored. He was willing to die for equality like Mandela and his comrades.

Racial Discrimination:

Mandela experienced systemic racism, entrenched in society in every iota of South African life. He worked tirelessly to dismantle such policies

International Isolation:

Managing Complicated Diplomatic Relationships: Although the apartheid regime was internationally isolated and embargoed, it did have some friends in high places around the world. Mandela had to fight for global solidarity, she said.

Internal Divisions:

ANC CONFERENCE UNITES FACTIONAL ANCS: The African National Congress had been seriously factionalised along some ideological lines. Mandela had brought together these different factions to keep the movement in one piece.

He has continued to be an inspiration for generations from around the world. What his life tells us is that leadership isn't about holding a title -- it's making an impact on the world. It is a message that Mandela preserved in his heart despite all those near insurmountable odds, the message of justice, freedom and unity as he made way to forge democratic South Africa.

Nelson Mandela’s wisdom and resilience continue to inspire people around the world.

Here are 20 memorable quotes from this remarkable leader Nelson Mandela :

1. “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.”
2. “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.”
3. “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
4. “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
5. “You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself.”
6. “It only seems impossible until it’s done.”
7. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
8. “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
9. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
10. “Fools multiply when wise men are silent.”
11. “If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important - and you do that by being genuine and humble.”
12. “It is not where you start but how high you aim that matters for success.”
13. “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation.”