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Nelson Mandela – 30 Leadership Lessons
1 Background
Nelson Mandela was one of the most famous figures of the 20th and 21st century.
He was known as the revolutionary, peacemaker, leader and humanitarian amongst others.
Many dignitaries and public figures would have and did give anything to have a meeting with
him or be seen with him.
History will show that he was a complex character and that he was able to adapt to a variety of
situations with ease.
He was not intimidated by anyone as his relaxed encounter with Queen Elizabeth proved.
Nelson exhibited many leadership qualities and styles, depending on who he was with and the
situation he found himself in.
It was behind bars that Madiba learnt his most valuable lessons in leadership. As he himself has
acknowleged, prison shaped him. He went in angry, convinced that the only way of achieving his
people’s freedom was by force of arms. Given the enormity of the injustice to which the eighty-
five percent of the population who were not white had been subjected since the arrival of the first
European settlers in 1652, this was not surprising.
The prison experience elevated Mandela to higher political aims and this set him apart from the
other freedom fighters within his South Africa and those operating beyond its borders. What he
learnt was that pursuing vengeance and violence may have brought the enemy to the negotiating
table but it would not bring about lasting change; He interacted with his jailers and observed
them closely, eventually coming to the realization that that black and white people had far more
In a world dominated by leaders with autocratic tendencies, Mandela stood apart. He had in
him the rare combination of leadership, courage, wisdom and foresight. He remains among
the 20th century’s greatest freedom fighters and statesmen. (Business Day)
in common than they had differences; he learnt that forgiveness and generosity and, more
importantly, respect were weapons of political persuasion as powerful as any weapon or violent
act.
While researchers have been unable to identify exactly what makes a great leader, they have
been able to identify the characteristics without which one cannot lead effectively. Here are some
examples:
Whilst this article does not use exactly the same terms as those used above, it is evident that
Nelson Mandela exhibited most, if not all of the leadership characteristics of a great leader.
According to Hersey and Blanchard, there are four main leadership styles:
Telling (S1) – Leaders tell their people what to do and how to do it.
Selling (S2) – Leaders provide information and direction, but there's more
communication with followers. Leaders "sell" their message to get people on board.
Participating (S3) – Leaders focus more on the relationship and less on direction. The
leader works with the team, and shares decision-making responsibilities.
Delegating (S4) – Leaders pass most of the responsibility onto the follower or group. The
leaders still monitor progress, but they're less involved in decisions.
source: Mindtools.com
According to Leadership 501; The five
leadership traits/leadership qualities are:
1. Honest
2. Forward-Looking
3. Competent
4. Inspiring
5. Intelligent
6. Situational Leadership
According to John Murphy;
leaders:
1. Get results
2. Care
3. Share their “Why”
4. Deliver on commitments
5. Develop talent
6. Clearly value people over
process
Nelson Mandela was able to apply each of these styles during his lifetime.
He often "told" his ANC colleagues what to do and did so in a manner that indicated that he
would not tolerate a NO. Nelson was quite capable of being an autocrat when the situation
demanded it. He showed this during negotiations with the National party and many times after
that when his party members stepped out of line.
He "sold" South Africa and his favourite interests on numerous occasions and showed that he
was fully aware of his personal charisma and the value of his personal brand.
He participated in numerous high level and sometimes low profile activities in a way which
indicated that he fully understood the value of relationship building, as he did when he supported
the rugby world cup and put his full support behind the soccer world cup.
He delegated many things to many people but indicated that he would hold them accountable in
each case. The approach also depended very much on the impact and importance of the situation.
It was clear that Thabo Mbeki remained very unsettled when he was president and Nelson
Mandela had more influence and presence than him when he was present. He was able to lead
people to greatness without over controlling.
2 Forgiveness Perhaps Mandela’s greatest achievement was that he prevailed upon his people to
shun revenge. (Business day live).
“The time for the healing of the wounds has
come. The moment to bridge the chasms that
divide us has come. The time to build is upon
us.” (10 May 1994)
3 Knowing when to compromise
4 Autocracy The following are extracts from a Mail & Guardian article written in 2013:
IN 1995, SOUTH AFRICAN
RUGBY CAPTAIN FRANCIOS
PIENAAR RECEIVES THE RUGBY
WORLD CUP FROM PRESIDENT
NELSON MANDELA, WHO
WEARS THE GREEN SPRINGBOK
JERSEY.
“Not always the secular saint, Nelson Mandela's decisions showed a streak of autocratic
decision-making that belies the image of the true democrat. “Nelson Mandela was not always a
softie.
He believed in action and led by example, both by getting military training and becoming the
chief volunteer during the defiance campaign. But at the core of all this militancy was always a
desire to get the white colonial regime to come to the table and talk.
Once he was released, the concept of him as the first among equals persisted, and thus the
announcement that the ANC would not follow through on nationalisation as promised in the
Freedom Charter was made in Europe, with the rest of the ANC leadership left to scramble
either to understand and follow, or to contradict the icon. The decision stood.
5 Humility “I stand here before you not as a prophet but as
a humble servant of you, the people. Your
tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it
possible for me to be here today. I therefore
place the remaining years of my life in your
hands.”
Speech on the day of his release, Cape Town
(11 February 1990)
Danny Jordaan, the president of the South African Football Association, tells the story of how
the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee decided that the Springbok
emblem should be abolished in favour of the Protea for all sporting codes. Mandela forced it to
rescind a democratically taken decision that was designed to show that sport was transforming.
All this shows a streak of autocratic decision-making that belies the image of the true democrat.
It was because he had determined where the country should go and how it would get there, and
would not brook what to him were worthless gestures. Primary to this was not to appease, but
rather to cajole people – particularly Afrikaans-speaking whites – into believing that they had a
place in this country.”
Source: http://mg.co.za/article/2013-12-12-saluting-mandela-an-autocratic-democrat
6 Courage Nelson Mandela showed his courage by being prepared to be incarcerated and even be put to
death for the cause he believed in. He often took the unpopular route when making decisions for
the right reasons.
7 Ability to build relationships Nelson Mandela had an uncanny ability to build relationships by
finding common ground. He spent time reaching out to people
that others would find unacceptable or at best strange. A very
good example of this was when he went to meet with Betsy
Verwoerd.
Courage
“I’ve learned that
courage was not the
absence of fear, but the
triumph over it.
The brave man is not
he who does not feel
afraid but he who
conquers that fear.”
Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk
worked hard at building a relationship
in the interests of a united country, as
the extract of a report shows below:
“One of the stories that Mr. De
Klerk shared was in response to a
question concerning how his
relationship with Nelson Mandela
developed. Mr. de Klerk was, of
course, the President who
released Mr. Mandela from jail
and who set in motion the
dismantling of the apartheid
system of government that had
left his country on the brink of
civil war and isolated from the rest of the World.
The story of how their relationship developed provided key lesson for all of us
when meeting new people with whom we
want to work going forward. It was
particularly striking when you consider
the huge differences in the two men's
backgrounds and political beliefs.
When they first met, Mr. de Klerk said
that they steered clear of talking about
politics. They both knew by then each
other's position and instead Mandela
“President Nelson Mandela dropped in for coffee
with the widow of the man who virtually
invented white rule. It was one of the stranger
sights in post-apartheid South Africa. Orania is
no leafy suburb where Afrikaner ladies like
diminutive Betsie Verwoerd, 94, typically live.
This spartan desert settlement amounts to an
Afrikaner kibbutz inhabited by 460 whites.
Mandela's visit to the heartland of white
Afrikaner territory was part of his efforts to unite
all of South Africa's citizens into one country.”
Adapted from an article on Zapiro.com
impressed de Klerk with his knowledge of South African military history and
admiration for Boer Generals. Speaking with de Klerk about something of interest
to both of them, where they were not likely to argue but instead find common
views, would have strengthened the relationship going forward when discussions
would be less amicable.” Andy Lopata (Friday, May 15, 2009)
8 Emotional Intelligence
Some people believe that emotional intelligence is now outdated and have added other factors or
have changed the wording but the 25 associated competencies remain significant in forming and
managing lasting relationships. Nelson Mandela exhibited a good few of these competencies
throughout his life and especially in the latter part thereof.
9 The ability to inspire and motivate
Leadership is often about having a compelling vision and leading others towards it. It is also
about creating the environment in which others can
perform as is required of them.
Nelson created an environment of hope, trust and
passion in a period during which all South
Africans had a great desire to do their part in
reaching the dream of a Rainbow Nation.
I personally do not believe that one can motivate
others but can create the environment in which
people are motivated to excel and contribute to the attainment of a shared vision.
10 Principled
A great leader has integrity, is principled and will not compromise on his ideals. Madiba did not
compromise and stuck to what he believed in for a lifetime.
11 Leading from the front
Nelson Mandela was not afraid to lead from the front and often took great risks in doing so. He
retained his drive during long periods of imprisonment and ensured that he remained fit and
strong throughout, never forgetting to challenge himself further, as shown when he obtained his
law degree by correspondence.
He often made the first move in difficult situations, causing others to follow his lead.
He took others with him, as is shown when he showed that he was prepared to work with the
"enemy" and even appointed members of the past government to portfolios in the government of
national unity.
12 Know your enemy
“If politics is about winning people over,
Mandela, as numerous other politicians have
attested, was the master of the game. He had
at his command an irresistibly seductive
cocktail that combined boundless charm born of
a vast self-confidence with inflexible principle, strategic vision and the canniest
pragmatism.” The Guardian – 7 December 2013.
“General Constand Viljoen succumbed to Mandela’s lethally effective political
cocktail of charm, respect, integrity, pragmatism and hard-nosed sense.”
The Cairo Review
Nelson Mandela ensured that he knew his opponents and spent a lot of time getting to know
them. He ensured that he kept the Afrikaaners close to him so that he could understand how they
thought and what drove them to specific actions. What he eventually found was that the enemy
was also humena. In fact the enemy came to the same conclusion about him.
“If you want to make peace with
your enemy, you have to work
with your enemy.
Then he becomes your partner”.
- Nelson Mandela
13 Letting others lead from the back
Nelson raised an army of leaders who were willing to
do their part, simply because he inspired them. He was
willing to let them do what they believed to be right,
without belittling them or over controlling when this
was required.
Nelson Mandela
14 Charm and Charisma
It is undeniable that Nelson had charm and charisma, as
well as more than a little element of fun. The Mandela
smile that was always at the ready and the Madiba Jive
are evidence of these.
When Nelson got involved in a cause, his charisma
became evident as was the case when he wore the
springbok rugby jersey at the rugby world cup held in
South Africa. His presence inspired others to do more,
as was the case with the Springboks winning despite
stiff competition.
15 Knowing when to quit
Unlike many African leaders, Mandela knew when to
quit and graciously stepped back to allow others to do
their bit.
He ensured that the territory was in a good state and was
willing to let go, despite all that he had personally
endured to achieve what can only be described as a remarkable outcome.
16 Be yourself
Madiba did not try to emulate anyone else and was true to himself for as long as he lived.
“It is better to lead from behind
and to put others in front,
especially when you celebrate
victory when nice things occur.
You take the front line when there
is danger. Then people will
appreciate your leadership.”
“Mandela, the great
statesman, was brilliant in his
analysis of a situation and in
cajoling others to follow his
path and dream. He was a
leader who worked for them,
not for himself. And so when
his family was torn apart, the
nation wept with him, for they
knew that part of the reason
for his pain was his sacrifices
for them.” (Source – Mail &
Guardian)
It is difficult to think of anyone who was even reasonably like Nelson Mandela in modern times.
He was often compared to Ghandi, but was as unlike Ghandi as anyone else.
17 Balance, Discipline and Tenacity
Mandela knew how to balance work and family life.
He worked extremely hard and put in long hours but
still found time for his children and grand children.
He had a very special place for children in his life
and ensured that he did what he could to improve
the lot of underprivileged children.
18 Service and social work
Madiba committed himself to selfless community service and spent a huge amount of time
ensuring that his dreams and passions were implemented. South Africa grew dramatically during
his leadership and he ensured that the whole world gave to these causes.
He established numerous foundations, charities and social institutions during his presidency and
inspired many others to do the same.
19 Planning and goal setting
Nelson had big, wide, audacious goals (BWAGs) and did not stray from them during a long
period of incarceration and during the 20 plus years from his release form prison. He continued
to plan and execute many of the things that were dear to him, even when his health was clearly
suffering.
20 Communication
Nelson Mandela was famous for his oratory skills. He
spoke clearly and deliberately, never without passion
and he got his message across every time.
"our march to freedom is
irreversible"
Many of his punch lines are still remembered to this day.
21 Courtesy and Respect
22 Fairness Madiba was committed to fair play, as was shown in his many interactions with others and
specifically when confronted with territorial wars, where he did everything he could to broker
peace.
“The history of our country is such that we still have to create the conditions for fair play
and justice to be secure. Our government has initiated measures to address the inequalities
and imbalances of the past. But this will take time. The wounds of past injustice need to be
healed and the deep divisions removed for ever. Reconstruction and reconciliation, nation-
building and development must go hand-in-hand.” (Fair Play Awards Pretoria).
23 Compassion Mandela showed compassion in many ways, but his
overwhelming commitment was to address poverty
and suffering, as was shown by the number of causes
that he supported.
Nelson Mandela fought poverty and AIDS and
supported some 50 charities. He also established a
number and motivated many to establish even more.
24 Grace Nelson's graceful exit from the political spotlight is
sometimes overlooked. After one five-year term,
Mandela voluntarily stepped down from the presidency
in 1999, though he could have served a second term. It
was an extraordinary act on a continent where many
leaders expect to rule for life, and often do.
Mandela and Boris Yeltzin.
When Mandela and Boris were signing a friendship
agreement between the two countries, the Russians
were there typical stoic selves.
When Boris was signing after Nelson and taking a lot of time, Mandela clapped him on the back,
smiled, and said, "You have much neater handwriting than me!"
Many in the room chuckled gratefully, including Yeltsin. The tension was released. This was the
Mandela magic at work, grace rescuing an awkward moment
Compassion
“Overcoming poverty is not a
task of charity, it is an act of
justice. Like Slavery and
Apartheid, poverty is not
natural. It is man-made and it
can be overcome and eradicated
by the actions of human beings.
Sometimes it falls on a
generation to be great. YOU can
be that great generation. Let
your greatness blossom.”
Trafalgar Square 2005.
25 Simplicity Not many men call Britain's Queen Elizabeth II "Elizabeth", much less dare to comment on her
dress style or weight.
Nelson Mandela was one of them. (Reuters).
26 Pick the right team
When Nelson formed the government of national unity, he ensured that he picked the right
people to lead, irrespective of colour. He reached out to select people who could positively help
with the country’s transformation.
27 Hard work Mandela was known for his ability to work long
hours and work to a punishing schedule. He set the
tone in the cabinet and politics in general, showing
the way for many who may have felt entitled to an
easier life. His personal assistant, Zelda Le Grange
attested to this work ethic many times and was in
fact very protective of him, ensuring that he did
not overdo it.
28 Integrity Mandela lived by his principles. He did not deviate from his intentions and did not vary his
commitment to the cause of the ANC and beyond that to the cause of a united South Africa.
Nelson Mandela on integrity, At the
British Red Cross Humanity Lecture,
Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre,
London, England (10 July 2003). Source:
From Nelson Mandela By Himself: The
Authorised Book of Quotations © 2010 by
Nelson R. Mandela and The Nelson
Mandela Foundation
“THOSE WHO CONDUCT
THEMSELVES WITH MORALITY,
INTEGRITY AND CONSISTENCY
NEED NOT FEAR THE FORCES OF
INHUMANITY AND CRUELTY. “
29 Working to leave a legacy
Mandela fought hard to unite all
South Africans and to instil a sense of
justice and fairness in the legal and
political systems. He even managed to
unite two opposing political parties in
a government of national unity.
What he left South Africa with was a
will and a pride plus a sense that
anything is possible despite seemingly
insurmountable obstacles.
Whilst it is apparent that his political
successors did not live up to
expectations, South Africa is still
better off as a result of his leadership
and legacy. The world still sees South
Africa as a jewel in Africa and an
example of what could be when a
nation unites under a great leader.
30 Close Nelson Mandela showed himself to be
a remarkable leader who showed
many of the characteristics of great
leaders who had come before him.
He left a great legacy of reconciliation
and pragmatism, after having
experienced great hardship in getting
to his dream.
The Mandela Legacy
“And so it proved. Mandela’s wisdom in reaching
out to the old enemy, repressing any vengeful
impulses he might have accumulated during his
twenty-seven years in prison, is the principal
reason why South Africa has consolidated its
transition from tyranny to democracy, and done so
not, in the time-honored style of revolutions,
through repression, but by persuasion. The
triumphant expression of Mandela’s life’s work is
seen in a political system that, seventeen years
after he took power, remains as stable as it is
authentically democratic. The rule of law, freedom
of speech, free and fair elections: these are the
gifts Mandela has bequeathed his nation.
The big truth is that Mandela, like Lincoln,
achieved the historically rare feat of uniting a
fiercely divided country. The feat is rare because
what ordinary politicians have always done is seek
power by highlighting difference and fueling
antagonism. Mandela sought it by appealing to
people’s common humanity.”
The Cairo Review of Global Affairs – November
4, 2014
He was able to forgive and move on, establishing a great vision for South Africa, which many
other countries sought to emulate and indeed duplicate.
His leadership led South Africa into one of its most prosperous periods, where many were
clamouring to bring major events or simply visit the “Rainbow Nation” to experience it for
themselves.
Written by Angelo Kehayas
November 2014