Lesson to Learn from Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela is a role model for every activist or leader. Throughout his life, he has done what he believed to be his role to manifest the change that he wanted to see in the world.
Here are some of Nelson Mandela’s wisest words to reflect on them and get some of his life lessons that inspire us to be better leaders and activists in our communities and workplaces.
1. Be Self Motivated and Never Give Up
The more your motivation comes from within; your own values and beliefs, the more consistent and persistent you are. Your intrinsic motivation not only backs you up to achieve your goals but also increases your resilience through this journey and its tough stops. He had not been put off by all the difficulties he met, and when he was asked about that he said; “It always seems impossible until it’s done”.
2. Utilize Your Strengths
He was a talented “People Person”. He valued other people. He was able to identify people’s passions and motivate them towards their passions. He had a spirit that fueled those around him to do the seemingly impossible.
3. Improve Your Communication Skills and How to Listen to Others
“I believe that in the end, it is kindness and generous accommodation that are all the catalysts for real change2 .” Mandela understood that communication is so meaningful. People usually think that communication is incredibly easy, but real communication involves more than just words.
The key to forming professional relationships is communication, which is why Mandela ended up such an effective leader. He managed to get an entire country to work together to move their nation forward from their complicated past, and it was made possible by emphasizing communication.
4. Build Better Relationships and Learn How to Forgive
Mandela was not only concerned with his goals and beliefs. Rather, he was keen on building relationships with people so that he could achieve his goal of creating a prosperous and united country in South Africa.
“You must not compromise your principles, but you must not humiliate the opposition. No one is more dangerous than one who is humiliated”
Mandela taught all of us that we can work with someone despite having every reason to feel rage. Being pragmatic and focusing on the goal would be more worthy and beneficial than revenge.
He summed it up in his brilliant quote; “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner”
5. Initiate Change from Within
Mandela’s most significant effect came from his ability to pursue the change he wanted starting with his own self. He could see what others could not see and fought for it on his own for a long time paying in advance for his cause.
This shows how important it is for leaders to have confidence and self-discipline for change.
1Anita King, 5 Valuable Life Lessons to Learn from Nelson Mandela, Purpose Fairy, Accessed 11 July, 2021 https://www.purposefairy.com/67942/5-valuable-life-lessons-to-learn-from-nelson-mandela/
2 UN, A conversation on “kindness and generous accommodation”, OHCHR | Nelson Mandela Centenary, Accessed 11 July, 2021, https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/NelsonMandelaCentenary.aspx
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