You might have seen me post the odd acerbic remark on Facebook regarding the leadership (or lack of it) offered by those in our society who aspire to such things.
Since they seem to have no measurable yardstick on leadership, I thought I would write about leadership from a man who is the greatest leader this world has ever known.
Genghis Khan.
First let me give you an analogy (paraphrased from John Man) so you understand what he managed to achieve in his lifetime.
If the USA had been founded by an illiterate slave who used force of personality, charisma and determination, to break foreign rule in America , unite all the people of all races as equals, employ an alphabet where none existed before, create the constitution, create the rule of law for all including leaders, build a secular state with real religious freedom, re-invent warfare using combinations of tactics that were used against him, march an army from Canada to Brazil, and create a free trade zone with commerce from one end of the empire to the other. Add to this is a rapid communication system and diplomatic immunity whene none had been practiced before.
How could one man do all that in a lifetime?
In a word – Leadership.
Here are the principles of leadership that worked for him, and which seem to be lacking in part or, sadly, in whole by most of our so-called “leaders” today. Which ones do you identify with?
1. Control the information.
What is a leaders story? Joseph Nye said “A good narrative is a great source of soft power.” In the case of Genghis Khan, his narrative went something like this – born into adversity, he overcame it and took on what he believed was a divine mission.
He communicated that mission and others took it up as their own. His character led to persuasion, and that lead to group action, unity and conquest.
How many of todays political and industry leaders are on a divine mission?
2. Accept criticism.
When Genghis Khan was a boy he killed his half brother Begter. It was a crime, and he was severely rebuked by his mother whom he loved in all the world. Her caustic dressing-down and anger was something he never forgot.
He didn’t get bitter and twisted over it. He accepted it, and let others tell the story, as part of character development, rather than cover it up he way modern leaders might do.
After this experience he was always open to criticism and advice.
3. Get a vision that people can share.
The Khans vision of tribal unity was seen as a threat. Yet his quick successes in battle against rival tribes, coupled with his core belief his mission was divine – this created loyalty in those he conquered. They took up the mission as their own, and in this way conquered the world.
What was the vision of Ghandi? Did he inspire loyalty? Did his people take up his vision as their own? Was he seen as a threat?
How many leadership “vision” statements have you seen that are nothing more than marks on an office wall, sneered at by those who are tasked to enable the reality?
4. Keep Promises.
This is the biggie in my opinion. The integrity which everything else is built on. This is what sticks in my guts and twists about when “leaders” make pronouncements or pontificate.
It’s the character trait that can make cynics of us all if we let it.
When the army of Genghis Khan and Toghril were three days late meeting up with Jamukha’s forces, because they were secretly marching on the Merkit to get Borte back, Jamukha rebuked them with these words…
“Did we not agree that we won’t be late
At the appointed meeting,
even if there be a blizzard
At the gathering
Even if ther be rain?
Are we not Mongols, for whom a “yes” is the same as being bound by an oath?”
They took the criticsm with good grace – this was another lesson Ghengis Khan never forgot – as leader, whatever happens and whatever you promise, you keep your word.
If a leader has no integrity, trust vanishes, morale stinks and joint action is impossible. Reputations and dreams fall apart.
How many leaders do you know who make promises, explicit or IMPLIED and keep them?
More on leadership in the next post.
Stay awesome – lead well.
Rick
