Four Leaders We Should Emulate

Why were these leaders so effective and so admired?

A way to better understand the complexities of leadership is to look at leader qualities as embodied in famous historical figures. Research tells us the personal characteristics and behaviors that make someone an effective leader. Let’s looks at some of these leader qualities through the lens of great women and men. Here are 4 well-known leaders who had qualities that are worth admiring and imitating.

1. Nelson Mandela (Courage). The very best leaders are courageous. Courage, or fortitude, allows a leader to take calculated risks, and to persist toward a goal, despite obstacles and setbacks. South African leader and president, Nelson Mandela, embodied courage. Despite spending 27 years in prison, Mandela persisted in his cause to abolish apartheid, and was eventually elected President, and led the reconciliation effort. Courage is about taking the necessary steps for a just cause.

2. Jane Addams (Empathy). Jane Addams was a tireless advocate for the poor and disenfranchised in the late 19th and 20th century America. She noted the plight of the poor and homeless, and later took up the cause of women suffrage, and the plight of exploited workers. A good leader, like Addams, possesses empathy and this becomes a motivating force to work toward the betterment of followers and others.

3. Abraham Lincoln (Social Skill). As detailed in Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book, Team of Rivals, Lincoln was a master of persuasion and winning people over. Being able to persuade others is an important leader skill, involving a complex blending of emotional and social intelligence that allows an effective leader to build good relationships with friends, but to also work with rivals toward a common goal. Through his skilled communication, Lincoln was able to make his rivals allies.

4. Mohandas Gandhi (Humility). Gandhi was the leader of one of the largest independence movements in modern history — leading India to self-rule. He lived and ate modestly, and displayed great humility. Research shows us that the very best top-level leaders possess humility, and it is this that leads to extremely devoted followers.

For Development: Who are some of the historical (or current) leaders that you admire, and why? See if you can extract their key leadership qualities and see how you can use those in your own leader development.