Helping leaders motivate their people to a higher level of performance through strong human relations,
team building, and goal achieving. This is the seven Minute Leadership Podcast
with your host Paul fella Aldo. Hello everyone, and welcome to the Seven
Minute Leadership Podcast, Episode one fifty six, and today we will be exploring
the history of leadership because leadership has been a crucial part of human society since
the dawn of civilization. From tribal leaders to kings and queens, from military
generals to business executives, leadership has taken on many forms throughout history. So
for this episode, let's take a journey through time and explore the history of
leadership. In ancient times, leaders were often chosen by birthright or through physical
strength, and tribal leaders were chosen based on their ability to provide for their
community and protect them from outside threats. Kings and queens were often chosen based
on their lineage and the ability to lead armies in battle, and these early
leaders were often held up as divine or godlike and their subjects were expected to
obey their every command. And as societies grew more complex, leadership became more
specialized. Military leaders were chosen based on their ability to strategize and command troops,
and religious leaders were chosen based on their knowledge of spiritual matters and their
ability to guide their followers to a better life, and political leaders were chosen
based on their ability to negotiate and make decisions that would benefit their constituents.
In the twentieth century, the world witnessed some of the most influential leaders of
modern time. Figures like Gandhi and Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Junior revolutionized
the way leadership was viewed. They showed that leadership was not just about power
and authority, but also about compassion, empathy, in the ability to inspire
others. Today, leadership is no longer just about being in charge, wielding
power and authority. It's about being a servant to those you lead, in
caring for those in your charge. It's about creating a vision and inspiring others
to work towards it. It's about listening to the concerns of your followers and
finding ways to address them. It's about being ethical, transparent, and accountable.
So here are a few of those famous leadership catchphrases that we always say
in how they tie back to some of the great leaders in history lead by
example. So one of the most famous examples of leading by example comes from
Gondhi, who led India to independence from British rule through non violent civil disobedience.
Gondhi famously practiced what he preached, living a simple life and engaging in
non violent protests himself. How about empower your team? We always say that
in the leadership world. Alexander the Great is known for his military conquests,
but he was also a strong leader who empowered his troops. He would often
fight on the front lines with his soldiers, and he encouraged his generals to
take ownership of their own units. Always communicate. Winston Churchill, who served
as Britain's Prime Minister during World War Two, was a master communicator. He
delivered speeches that rallied British citizens to withstand the German onslaught, and he was
known for his powerful oratory skills. Bead Adaptable FDR served as US President during
the Great Depression in World War Two, was a master of adaptability. He
implemented a wide range of programs to help the American people during the depression,
and he was able to pivot the country's focus to the war effort after the
attack on Pearl Harbor. How about have a vision? And if I just
say the word vision, who comes to mind? Martin Luther King Junior had
a clear vision of a society in which all people were treated equally, and
he worked tirelessly to bring that vision to fruition. He inspired millions with his
speeches and his actions and his leadership to help bring about significant progress in civil
rights in the United States. So those are just a few examples of the
many lessons in leadership that can be drawn from history. Each leader faced unique
challenges, just like we do every day, but they all shared certain characteristics
that enabled them to lead effectively. So the history of leadership is a fascinating
journey through time, from ancient tribal leaders to modern day business executives. Some
would say that leadership has evolved to meet the needs of society. I would
argue that leadership itself has not evolved, but our understanding of it has,
and as we move forward, it's important to remember the leadership lessons of the
past and continue to strive for better, more effective leadership that benefits all members
of society. That couldn't be more true than this moment in time. This
has been the seven Minute Leadership Podcast, and I thank you for listening.
For more Paul Fellovalito podcasts, visit Paul Fellovalito dot com