A Lean Journey 
World history has been filled with
leaders who have done incredible things. Every one of them has contributed
significantly to this world – proving that great leadership comes in many
different forms.
A great leader, for many, is one
that inspires action. Whether it’s to make a change in the world, chase your
dreams, or create a movement.
that inspires action. Whether it’s to make a change in the world, chase your
dreams, or create a movement.
Politics or views aside, many of us
can agree that individual leaders are indeed the best. Regardless of whether
you agree wholeheartedly in the action that they provoke; we can all
appreciate the inspirational ways that they invigorate
others.
can agree that individual leaders are indeed the best. Regardless of whether
you agree wholeheartedly in the action that they provoke; we can all
appreciate the inspirational ways that they invigorate
others.
What makes a great
leader?
leader?
To be a great leader, you have to
possess specific skills and traits. You have to respect others, be loyal, and
maintain a degree of confidence. After all, if you don’t believe in yourself, will anybody else?
possess specific skills and traits. You have to respect others, be loyal, and
maintain a degree of confidence. After all, if you don’t believe in yourself, will anybody else?
Below, we’ve listed the most
influential leaders in the modern age – who have all inspired
action.
influential leaders in the modern age – who have all inspired
action.
1. Nelson
Mandela
Mandela
Of course, you’ll always find
Nelson Mandela’s name on lists regarding leaders. He truly is not only one of
the most inspiring leaders, but people of all time.
Nelson Mandela’s name on lists regarding leaders. He truly is not only one of
the most inspiring leaders, but people of all time.
Mandela accomplished what many have
not been able to – he inspired generations of people, even after his death. He
proved that human resilience and passion is the most powerful
tool.
not been able to – he inspired generations of people, even after his death. He
proved that human resilience and passion is the most powerful
tool.
Mandela has held various titles.
He’s been a prisoner, activist, revolutionary, and President. That’s quite the
resume.
He’s been a prisoner, activist, revolutionary, and President. That’s quite the
resume.
For those that don’t know, Mandela
was imprisoned for 27 years. He was sentenced to life for conspiring to
overthrow the state. This kind of sentence would understandably break many
people, but Mandela stood firm.
was imprisoned for 27 years. He was sentenced to life for conspiring to
overthrow the state. This kind of sentence would understandably break many
people, but Mandela stood firm.
He campaigned vigorously for his
freedom and later became the first black President of South Africa. He was
awarded a Nobel Peace Prize and received more than
250 honors.
freedom and later became the first black President of South Africa. He was
awarded a Nobel Peace Prize and received more than
250 honors.
To this day, he is seen as one of
the most influential leaders – and resilient humans.
the most influential leaders – and resilient humans.
The takeaway: We can all adopt
Mandela’s mindset into our leadership techniques. The struggle shouldn’t deter
us from trying to achieve our goals. Draw a line under your past, and share
your story and dreams.
Mandela’s mindset into our leadership techniques. The struggle shouldn’t deter
us from trying to achieve our goals. Draw a line under your past, and share
your story and dreams.
2. Marie
Curie
Curie
Marie Curie gathered an extensive
list of accomplishments during her life. Many have argued that she was one of
the leading forces in science.
list of accomplishments during her life. Many have argued that she was one of
the leading forces in science.
She is best known for her discovery
of radioactivity. It’s this discovery that has led to effective cancer treatments,
as well as other world-changing things.
of radioactivity. It’s this discovery that has led to effective cancer treatments,
as well as other world-changing things.
She was also the first woman to
ever win a Nobel Prize, the first female professor at the University of Paris,
and the first person to ever win a second Nobel Prize.
ever win a Nobel Prize, the first female professor at the University of Paris,
and the first person to ever win a second Nobel Prize.
While she might not fit
the mold of a “leader” that you have in mind – Marie Curie
definitely remains one of the greatest leaders. She overcame
obstacles.
the mold of a “leader” that you have in mind – Marie Curie
definitely remains one of the greatest leaders. She overcame
obstacles.
Marie Curie broke through in a time
when women were not allowed to speak in forums and established herself as a
worthy leader.
when women were not allowed to speak in forums and established herself as a
worthy leader.
She led by her expertise and
thoughts and has changed the world.
thoughts and has changed the world.
The takeaway: Marie Curie had a
passion for her work and an insatiable love for learning. As a leader, you
should adopt these qualities and let it shine through your work.
passion for her work and an insatiable love for learning. As a leader, you
should adopt these qualities and let it shine through your work.
Though it won’t be easy and
obstacles might arrive, your determination should ultimately trump
this.
obstacles might arrive, your determination should ultimately trump
this.
3. Martin Luther King,
Jr
Jr
MLK was an American activist and
humanitarian. He essentially became the figurehead for the African-America
Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
humanitarian. He essentially became the figurehead for the African-America
Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
He is well-known for leading in a
nonviolent and civil way. Causing slight disobedience to bring attention to
important matters. His work, along with his supporters and allies, changed
America for the better.
nonviolent and civil way. Causing slight disobedience to bring attention to
important matters. His work, along with his supporters and allies, changed
America for the better.
Perhaps his most famous
accomplishment, as a leader, is his part in organizing the 1963 March on
Washington. It’s here where he delivered the iconic “I Have a Dream”
speech.
accomplishment, as a leader, is his part in organizing the 1963 March on
Washington. It’s here where he delivered the iconic “I Have a Dream”
speech.
MLK also received a Nobel Peace
Prize. His leadership qualities included a kind temperament and meaningful
action.
Prize. His leadership qualities included a kind temperament and meaningful
action.
He created a nation-wide movement
based on acceptance.
based on acceptance.
The takeaway: One of the biggest
learning lessons from Dr. King is to know your cause. Believe in what
you do, and stand for it.
learning lessons from Dr. King is to know your cause. Believe in what
you do, and stand for it.
Also, persevere, embrace fear, and
get everyone around you involved. You may be surprised at who will join
you.
get everyone around you involved. You may be surprised at who will join
you.
4. Mother
Teresa
Teresa
Mother Teresa was an Albanian-born
Roman Catholic nun. She’s well-known for her selfless, revolutionary work. She cared for the poor, orphaned,
sick, and dying.
Roman Catholic nun. She’s well-known for her selfless, revolutionary work. She cared for the poor, orphaned,
sick, and dying.
She proved herself to be a reliable
and influential leader – breaking barriers and perceptions of what a leader
should be.
and influential leader – breaking barriers and perceptions of what a leader
should be.
She founded the Missionaries of
Charity in Calcutta, India. This was a religious congregation that is now
active in more than 130 countries.
Charity in Calcutta, India. This was a religious congregation that is now
active in more than 130 countries.
In 2003, Mother Teresa was
beatified (made a saint) bu the Pope – giving her the title of
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.
beatified (made a saint) bu the Pope – giving her the title of
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.
Her leadership skills differ from
other leaders. She led the way with compassion and thoughtfulness – her one
goal to make the world better, with no financial or popularity gain for
herself.
other leaders. She led the way with compassion and thoughtfulness – her one
goal to make the world better, with no financial or popularity gain for
herself.
The takeaway: As a leader, it’s not
always about your personal hopes and dreams. Sometimes, trying to make the
world or people around you succeed is more important.
always about your personal hopes and dreams. Sometimes, trying to make the
world or people around you succeed is more important.
Your team should be your priority –
ensure that they’re happy and thriving.
ensure that they’re happy and thriving.
5. Greta
Thunberg
Thunberg
Regardless of your personal
opinions, nobody can deny that Great Thunberg is one of the most influential
leaders in the 21st century.
opinions, nobody can deny that Great Thunberg is one of the most influential
leaders in the 21st century.
At such a young age, she has begun
international protests and movements that have entirely changed the world. Now,
she has become a figurehead for the climate change movement – showcasing the
new face of politics and activism.
international protests and movements that have entirely changed the world. Now,
she has become a figurehead for the climate change movement – showcasing the
new face of politics and activism.
She began fighting in her home
country, Sweden. Her focus is on freeing the world of pollution, ending climate
change, and environmental degradation. She has inspired action amongst
students, famous for shaming apathetic adults.
country, Sweden. Her focus is on freeing the world of pollution, ending climate
change, and environmental degradation. She has inspired action amongst
students, famous for shaming apathetic adults.
“At just 16, she has planned
an array of student protests and has become an international figure. The
reality is, youth activists like Great are doing amazing things. How she has
rallied such a significant movement, only shows what a fantastic leader she
really is.” — Nadine Johnson, anthropologist, and writer at Studicus.
an array of student protests and has become an international figure. The
reality is, youth activists like Great are doing amazing things. How she has
rallied such a significant movement, only shows what a fantastic leader she
really is.” — Nadine Johnson, anthropologist, and writer at Studicus.
The takeaway: It might be a little
strange to learn leadership qualities from a teenager, but it’s still very
possible.
strange to learn leadership qualities from a teenager, but it’s still very
possible.
The most important is to practice
what you preach. That’s the key to a good leader. Always set an example, and
lead in a noble and honest way.
what you preach. That’s the key to a good leader. Always set an example, and
lead in a noble and honest way.
6. Abraham
Lincoln
Lincoln
On the other end of the spectrum
(or timelines) sits Abraham Lincoln. He was the President of the United States
from 1861, before getting assassinated in 1865.
(or timelines) sits Abraham Lincoln. He was the President of the United States
from 1861, before getting assassinated in 1865.
Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer before joining the active
politics of America. While it is argued that his short time as President was
overshadowed by the Civil War, it cannot be debated that he led the way
heroically.
politics of America. While it is argued that his short time as President was
overshadowed by the Civil War, it cannot be debated that he led the way
heroically.
At such a difficult time in US
history, Lincoln strengthened the nation and abolished slavery. He also
modernized the economy and has become a symbol of equal rights, liberty, and
democracy.
history, Lincoln strengthened the nation and abolished slavery. He also
modernized the economy and has become a symbol of equal rights, liberty, and
democracy.
The takeaway: Truly,
you have to work to achieve your goals. Things won’t just fall into place. He
once famously said: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will
spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.”
you have to work to achieve your goals. Things won’t just fall into place. He
once famously said: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will
spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.”
7. Che Guevara
You’ll often see his face during
left-wing protests – Che Guevara was a major face of the Cuban Revolution. The
fact that he is still a symbol of rebellion and revolution places him on this
list.
left-wing protests – Che Guevara was a major face of the Cuban Revolution. The
fact that he is still a symbol of rebellion and revolution places him on this
list.
Guevara was born in Argentina, he
was a Marxist revolutionary, author, guerrilla leader, and diplomat. He saw the
conditions that people in South America were living in – saturated with disease
and poverty, and decided to make a change.
was a Marxist revolutionary, author, guerrilla leader, and diplomat. He saw the
conditions that people in South America were living in – saturated with disease
and poverty, and decided to make a change.
He dedicated his life to amend the
economic conditions of the people and is well-known for prioritizing others
over himself.
economic conditions of the people and is well-known for prioritizing others
over himself.
His primary leadership belief was
that humans shouldn’t be a slave to their situation – instead, they should be
able to design their own destiny.
that humans shouldn’t be a slave to their situation – instead, they should be
able to design their own destiny.
The takeaway: Though
he may be a different kind of leader, he was still a leader.
he may be a different kind of leader, he was still a leader.
His premise in life
was that you have to give meaning to all your decisions. Make sure that the
path you take is meaningful, and your leadership skills will certainly
develop.
was that you have to give meaning to all your decisions. Make sure that the
path you take is meaningful, and your leadership skills will certainly
develop.
8. Albert
Einstein
Einstein
Lastly, we have to mention the man
who rewrote the laws of nature for the betterment of humanity. He’s still one
of the most famous scientists and has had an unmatched impact on our
understanding of the universe.
who rewrote the laws of nature for the betterment of humanity. He’s still one
of the most famous scientists and has had an unmatched impact on our
understanding of the universe.
“Einstein is remembered for
overcoming adversity – he struggled as a child and even struggled to find work
after graduating. His ability to remain positive, regardless of the situation,
is why he’s considered one of the best leaders.” — Ben Larson, a history
writer at Trust My Paper and Grab My Essay.
overcoming adversity – he struggled as a child and even struggled to find work
after graduating. His ability to remain positive, regardless of the situation,
is why he’s considered one of the best leaders.” — Ben Larson, a history
writer at Trust My Paper and Grab My Essay.
Now, even after his death, his work
and findings are still be used to guide physicists – that’s great
leadership.
and findings are still be used to guide physicists – that’s great
leadership.
The takeaway: There’s
no denying that Einstein was curious. That’s what made him so
great.
no denying that Einstein was curious. That’s what made him so
great.
As you’re leading, you
should be curious, try new things, and use your imagination. You’re more
powerful than you realize.
should be curious, try new things, and use your imagination. You’re more
powerful than you realize.
Conclusion
Which such a diverse group of
leaders, you’ll notice that they all have different tactics, views, and
backgrounds. It becomes clear that being a great leader isn’t
one-size-fits-all.
leaders, you’ll notice that they all have different tactics, views, and
backgrounds. It becomes clear that being a great leader isn’t
one-size-fits-all.
If you’re passionate, hard-working,
and empathetic, you can inspire generations of people to make a change and
invoke action in those around you.
and empathetic, you can inspire generations of people to make a change and
invoke action in those around you.
About the Author: Nicole D.Garrison is a
content strategist, writer, and contributor at Pick, The Writer, along with several platforms for marketing specialists. She is a
dedicated and experienced author who pays particular attention to quality
research. In her free time, Nicole is a passionate runner and a curious
beekeeper. Moreover, she runs her own blog LiveInspiredMagazine.
content strategist, writer, and contributor at Pick, The Writer, along with several platforms for marketing specialists. She is a
dedicated and experienced author who pays particular attention to quality
research. In her free time, Nicole is a passionate runner and a curious
beekeeper. Moreover, she runs her own blog LiveInspiredMagazine.
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