“A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.” – Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, considered by many as a revolutionary leader, helped organize the fight against racism and apartheid in South Africa. Mandela witnessed leadership at a young age when observing his guardian supervising tribal decision-making gatherings. Mandela’s guardian listened in silence for days, never voicing his opinion even after everyone’s opinion was heard. After everyone had spoken, his guardian guided the group to reach a consensus. Later, Mandela used this experience to mold his leadership style .

What so much of the world actively hungers for in its public life, and so very rarely finds, is there in Nelson Mandela — leadership with moral force. Are there any others in our day with such exceptional characteristics? Perhaps the long-time prisoner of Burma, liberated from house arrest only in 2010, Aung San Suu Kyi. She, though not as famous as Mandela, radiates something of his peculiar form of charisma. After her, I am not sure there are any to nominate.

A statesman of Mandela’s depth and example, possessed of that moral centre, which gives Mandela his almost unique power, is nowhere on the scene when most one is needed. What is striking about his leadership is that he leads by example. Even after spending 27 years in jail, he had the leadership spirit to lead his countrymen to build his nation and forgive the ones who put him in jail. I would like to sign off this blog with another Mandela quote.

Peace is the greatest weapon for development that any person can 

have.” – Nelson Mandela“