What we can learn from history’s leaders

I really enjoyed Jonathan Gifford’s article on leadership qualities we can learn from history’s great personalities, which appeared in The Guardian. Jump there to read the whole article, or grab a copy of author Jonathan Gifford’s book, History Lessons: What Business and Managers Can Learn from the Movers and Shakers of History, here.So as not to steal Gifford’s fire, I will provide only a brief preview here:

Horatio Nelson: “Leading from the front.” Demonstrate to your followers that you are willing to do everything you ask them to do, ie: get your hands dirty.

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson: “Taking the Offensive.” Refuse to take “no” for an answer. If you hear “no,” find another way. Think outside the box.

Nelson Mandela: “Changing the Mood.” Recognize the mood of your organization, and take stock of what is causing this mood. Strike a new mood. Stay on message. Set the example.

Also included in the article: Abraham Lincol and Zhou Enlai.