phi·los·o·phy [fi-los-uh-fee noun, plural -phies. -The rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.
The setting is taken from the 2009 hit movie Invictus starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Freeman plays the role of South African President Nelson Mandela. Damon plays the role of Francois Pienaar, the captain of the Springbok rugby team.
In the scene, Mandela has invited Pienaar to tea.[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLhaN26paaU&feature=related[/youtube]
The World Cup is a year away and the fledgling Springbok need motivation. As they talk, Mandela sits back in his chair and says, “Tell me Francois, what is your philosophy on leadership?” It is a pointed question that each leader must answer.
The answers the two men flesh out will shape the destiny of a nation. That philosophy propels them to make hard but necessary decisions that ultimately leads to a Springbok victory a year later. Much greater than the World Cup victory was the reconciliation of a nation.
Your leadership philosophy is the blueprint for how you live your life, how you run your company, and how you treat others. John Maxwell is correct when he says, “everything rises and falls on leadership.” We see it lived out every day in companies that succeed and with those that go under; we see it in the rise and fall of politicians, we see it in the daily charitable acts of thousands of people who give of themselves to make the world a better place.
From the movie narrative came three philosophical ideas that were adapted as they met the challenge of motivating the Springbok to victory. Where will your leadership philosophy take you and how will you define it? Here are the three from the film. Let’s observe.
By example. Pienaar believed the best way to inspire his team to do their best was by example. This has always been one of the underlying fundamentals of leadership. It was Thomas Morell who said, “The first great gift we can bestow in others is a good example.”
If you incorporate leadership by example as a core component of your leadership philosophy will you need to change any current behaviors? When you lead by example you do not set yourself above everyone else, but place yourself among everyone else. Now your every move is observed, not from afar, but up close and personal. Leadership by example is a risk, but is the most effective.
Inspiration. Mandela asks of Pienaar, “How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing less will do? How do we inspire everyone around us?” The only thing more inspiring than the question was the goal before them – to win the World Cup. But they knew they had their work cut out for them and attaining the goal would not come easy. The way forward would be long, riddled with objections, and rooted in an ugly past that if allowed to remain would cause further division.
The Springbok needed inspiration to play better and to do what many considered impossible. But they found that inspiration. You too will find it when you attach it to a dream or goal that demands nothing less than greatness. Douglas Lurton said, “When you determine what you want, you have made the most important decision of your life. You have to know what you want in order to attain it.” Inspiration is the fuel you need to reach your goals.
Using the works of others. Mandela tells Pienaar that while on Robben Island he found inspiration in the poem “Invictus” and how it encouraged him in his darkest times. From the closing lines of the poem one can understand how the words inspired Mandela to keep faith: “It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”
As you consider your leadership philosophy, consider also your source(s) of inspiration. Whether it is the inspiring words from a poet, a mentor, music, or some other source, find it and be inspired. Lead by example, inspire others, and use the works of others as an encouragement to become leaders of destiny.
© 2012 Doug Dickerson
Follow Doug at www.Twitter.com/managemntmoment
