Comments on: Nelson Mandela’s 8 Lessons of Leadership

By: Graham

Graham — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:54:29 +0000

Ngu! Thanks for your comments, and all your advice over the years.

By: Ngu H Morcho

Ngu H Morcho — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:22:17 +0000

I am glad at least ONE of my many sessions with you on the importance of selling in every aspect of our lives finally resonated. Beyond managing perceptions, the appropriate appearance allows your audience to focus more on the content of your discourse and less so on your scruffy and uncoordinated presentation.

Notice, though Mandela generally does not wear western style suits, and most other African presidents do, he has been more successful in connecting with his base because he focuses on “appearing” just like them. Amazingly, Khaddafi in Libya is very effective at this tactic as well and his base is most endeared to him, but do not ask anyone in the US who does not own a passport and gets all their international politics/foreign policy education by watching fox TV.

I like the postings, G. I am definitely a fan and will follow closer.

By: Mike Sanders

Mike Sanders — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:22:36 +0000

Great comments on adaptability. Great leaders know when to adapt. The problem is so many leaders follow what they are comfortable with. That strategy just won’t bring success any more. Competition and technology are changing too fast for leaders to not be good at adapting!

By: Graham

Graham — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:26:50 +0000

Thank you for your comments, Peter. I agree completely.

By: petermello

petermello — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:10:17 +0000

I agree with your post and would like to take it one step further. No matter the duds donned, accessorize with a smile.

The power of a smile can not be overstated. It conveys warmth and confidence and makes a person approachable and more likable; all qualities beneficial to those needing to exercise leadership. In a previous job I had to do quite a bit of public speaking, often to large audiences, and before hitting the stage my wife would always remind me to carry a smile. Every week I co-host a podcast and before recording I make a conscious effort to smile even though we are only recording audio. The smile is magical and the best part is that it’s free and easy and anyone can do it. And that’s why it fits wonderfully in Mandela’s 8 simple leadership lessons.

I also recently posted on this topic as well. Happy 90th Birthday Nelson Mandela!

Thanks and Fair Winds!