Qualities of Leadership
After examining the articles I have read about Diana, Princess of Wales, she is definitely a person who had adaptability. In her life, she went though many hardships and changes including social status, divorce, abuse from the media, surviving bulimia, and constant criticism from the public and royal family; and yet she was still able to have a positive attitude. Diana had the ability to adapt to almost any situation she was put into. She was determined to make it through and demonstrated that ability in keeping her title, “Diana, Princess of Wales”. In addition, she stayed involved with the royal family even after the divorce. Diana didn’t disappear and keep quiet; she adapted her strategies and succeeded.
Diana also had the quality of empathy which she exhibited over and over again through her work with charity. Much of her empathy and ability to understand the public and people around her came from her childhood. Unlike the royals, she had the childhood of a commoner. As a result, it provided her with the unique opportunity to be one of the public before she became one of the royals.
Diana overcame many challenges that were personal to her life; however, because of her status, they became public. The media was always constantly following her making her life an open book. She seemed to have a quiet strength about her. Through her trials with bulimia, she seemed to lose the battle for awhile; but in the end she was able to deal with the disease and become stronger.
All leaders face disappointment or disaster at some point during their life. The great leaders are the ones who overcome the challenges they face and learn from their mistakes. Diana was observant of the world around her, understood the people in it, and was able to have multiple points of view. She will always be remembered as a kind and giving person. Her friend Elton John described the loss of Diana, Princess of Wales best when he revised the version of his song, “Candle in the Wind” (Badertscher, 2009). Diana’s candle may have blown out, but the compassion she showed will never be forgotten and her memory will continue to inspire people.
Badertscher, E. (2009). Diana, Princess of Wales. Historical European Leaders.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The commonality most demonstrated by Princess Diana and my chosen leader, Abraham Lincoln, is their altruism for the greater good of humanity. Whether they had one platform or many, both leaders were passionate and subsequently proactive in their efforts to achieve change. Their ability to empathize was visceral which, paired with diligence, rhetoric and effective advocacy, resulted in exposure and a position of power used to achieve change.
ReplyDeletePrincess Diana and Lincoln also both originated from humble beginnings and overcame many obstacles. Although the dynamic of those origins is diverse, they both applied lessons from their different roles in their leadership skills. It was their resiliency that helped facilitate their persistence and progress. Perhaps it was those humble beginnings that instilled humility and subsequently empathy that resulted in their ability to understand others’ perspectives and advocate on their behalf. It is likely that Prince Diana and Lincoln’s humble beginnings contributed to their application of a diligent work ethic that fueled their irrepressible efforts. It was those universal leadership skills that transcend time.
Princess Diana’s determination to stay active in the royal family was adorable considering her treatment by them. She used her position in society to open the world’s eyes to many issues we preferred to ignore. Her willingness to help the needy and give to charities helped more than she could imagine. She knew that the media was obsessed with her and as a result the media brought these causes into our lives. The needy were now seen by all and society gives when they knew about hardships, even though we prefer to prepare they do not exist. She knew how ruthless the media was, but she did not shy away. She used the media to her advantage.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the fact that she rose from nothing to everything helped develop her character and never changed her. Did the hardship she faced give her the drive to help others? She saw how she could have nothing and going through the transformation guided her to help the less fortunate even it was just to give them something. If she was born rich, would she even have cared?
Her determination, her guiding vision, and drive to overcome any obstacle made her a great leader and role model.
Unlike many of the other qualities of leadership I have seen, I believe adaptability is one that is not noted enough. Diana’s ability to adapt allowed her to lead on different levels and in difficult situations. In addition, she used her empathy to relate to others and remain an icon for so many. People were able to relate to her humble roots which made her an effective leader.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to be an effective leader in today’s society because their personal and professional business is so public. It is what leaders do with this responsibility that allows them to shine and succeed. Your choice of leader was well crafted, good job.