[October 10, 2016] At the beginning of World War II, the outlook for the survival of Great Britain was bleak. The immense German military juggernaut had the English isle in its sights and Hitler was advancing his forces to destroy it. Thanks to its great leaders such as Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the immense sacrifices of its people, Great Britain not only survived but became a strong center of democracy. From this historical example, we can see that great leaders thrive in impossible situations.
“Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.” – Napoléon Bonaparte
Anyone who studies the culture of nations will find the story of someone who overcame the greatest odds stacked against them; David’s victory over Goliath is a classic example. People love a comeback; they root for the underdog, and cheer for and appreciate the appeal of those who struggle against overwhelming odds.
Whether it’s the America’s Revolutionary War against the British Empire or any other victory when everyone says defeat is likely, we all recognize the value of a great leader who is able to rally their followers to achieve something no one could believe would be successful. As I write this Donald Trump is down and out in his presidential campaign. Will he show signs of a great leader to make a comeback or fail? If he does so, he will demonstrate the character of an impressive senior leader. If not …?
The true capacity of leadership is tested during times of impossible odds. Performance under such stress can show the true traits of a leader. As such it brings to the surface any flaws of character and hastens the failure of those who cannot execute their duties properly. There are several things that every successful leader does in those situations.
- They stay calm and don’t allow their emotions to dictate their actions. Many military battles were lost because the leader lost their nerve and allowed their emotions to drive their decisions.
- They uphold a positive attitude. And this attitude is continuous, not just in critical situations. Take a look a Churchill’s speeches at the most vulnerable time for Great Britain and you can see his strength and confidence.
- Their actions are methodical and not driven by either fear or succumb to stress. It is not how they feel that matters – for everyone is afraid in certain situations – but in how they act.
Whether you are a military leader, a business owner, the coach of a sports team, or the partner in a marriage, we will all be tested at some point. How we act in this determines whether you are a great leader.
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