Leaders I admire

Three people that I admire for their leadership abilities:

Nelson Mandela:

Nelson Mandela, the renowned anti-apartheid activist, and former President of South Africa, exemplifies democratic leadership through his inclusive approach and emphasis on listening to all perspectives. Mandela valued equality, justice, and reconciliation, which guided his leadership decisions.

He believed in the power of dialogue and actively sought input from different stakeholders, including his political opponents, to find common ground and foster understanding. I think that Mandela's ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds and lead through consensus made him an admirable leader.

Angela Merkel:

Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, is known for her democratic and decisive leadership style. She displayed a strong commitment to consensus-building and actively sought input from her team and advisors.

Merkel valued evidence-based decision-making and relied on expert advice to inform her choices. Her open-mindedness and willingness to consider different viewpoints contributed to her ability to navigate complex political challenges. Merkel's ability to lead with empathy, integrity, and a focus on long-term goals makes her admirable and makes me think she is aligned with the type of leadership I would like to develop.

Satya Nadella:

Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, is admired for his democratic leadership style in the business world. He encourages collaboration and inclusivity within the organization, fostering a culture of open dialogue and innovation.

Nadella values diversity and believes that harnessing the collective intelligence of his team leads to better outcomes. He actively listens to employees, customers, and partners, empowering them to contribute their ideas and perspectives. Nadella's commitment to a growth mindset, his emphasis on empathy, and his ability to inspire and motivate others make him a respected leader. These are also qualities I would like to implement in my leadership journey.

Resources

Satya Nadella said reading his late mom’s diary entry about a Danish philosopher reminded him what leadership is really about. (n.d.). Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/satya-nadella-leadership-reading-moms-dairy-soren-ierkegaard-2021-11

Lowe, J. (2022, March 22). Council Post: Nelson Mandela: How To Be A True Leader. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2022/03/22/nelson-mandela-how-to-be-a-true-leader/

Gallo, C. (2023, January 25). Satya Nadella’s Simple Framework For Clear, Concise Communication. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2023/01/25/satya-nadellas-simple-framework-for-clear-concise-communication/

Those who have known Angela Merkel describe her rise to prominence. (2019, May 28). Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/05/those-who-have-known-angela-merkel-describe-her-rise-to-prominence/

Esch, F. V. (2021, September 29). The secret of Angela Merkel’s extraordinary success: her understanding of the distinctive features of German politics. The Loop. https://theloop.ecpr.eu/the-secret-of-angela-merkels-extraordinary-success-her-understanding-of-german-politics/

Esch, F. V. (2021, September 29). The secret of Angela Merkel’s extraordinary success: her understanding of the distinctive features of German politics. The Loop. https://theloop.ecpr.eu/the-secret-of-angela-merkels-extraordinary-success-her-understanding-of-german-politics/