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Written by Shilpan Patel, Success Soul
Great leaders lead the world by example. Their life becomes a fable of character, purpose, perseverance and magnanimity that transcends evil into goodness. They make the world a better place to live for the generations to come.
They’re born with purpose to save the world at the hour of peril. Arguably, Winston Churchill was the leader of the free world born to save the world from the peril of brutal dictatorship. I’m humbled to write about a great leader who was as magnanimous in his heart as stern he was to fight against the evil of Hitler.
On May 10, 1940, during the World War II, Churchill became Prime Minister of England. Undaunted by the challenge to fight against Germans, He wrote, “I felt as if I were walking with Destiny, and all my past life has been but a preparation for this hour and for this trial.”
While other leaders fling to their office, Winston Churchill inspired British people with his trademark V sign for victory in public with calm, relaxed smile. He understood the role he was born to play and make difference in this world. We all are born with the purpose sealed and safeguarded by our soul. Winston Churchill, by example, demonstrated that by knowing our strengths and developing a burning desire for what makes us happy, we can find the purpose to make an outstanding contribution for the humanity.
When Singapore fell in February of 1942, Winston Churchill showed rectitude to the British people. “I speak to you all under the shadow of a heavy and far-reaching military defeat,” he said in a national broadcast.
There is no worse mistake in public leadership than to hold out false hopes soon to be swept away. The British people can face peril or misfortune with fortitude and buoyancy, but they bitterly resent being deceived or finding that those responsible for their affairs are themselves dwelling in a fool’s paradise.
Some of his colleagues knew that Winston Churchill had same convictions and ideals in his private life as he espoused with his brilliant oratory in the public life. There was no mask that he took off when he went home, a character of a great leader.
With this transparency, he taught us to have utmost honesty and integrity in our life. If we learn to have candid conversation with our alter ego or friends, we can create a relationship based on the unwavering trust to live the fulfilling life.
Little we know, Winston Churchill lost more elections than the great leaders of his time. He lost elections three times in 1920s.
Courage for some sudden act, maybe in the heat of battle, we all respect, but there is that still rarer courage which can sustain repeated disappointment, unexpected failure, and shattering defeat. Churchill had that too and had need of it, not for a day, but for weeks and months and years. ~ Anthony Eden who succeeded Winston Churchill as a prime minister of England.
Winston Churchill showed awe-inspiring conviction in his entire life to dream big and to show perseverance to achieve the dream no matter how difficult the pursuit becomes with countless failures and seemingly insurmountable circumstances life poses. Most of us fail in life as we do not win the fight against our own mind. We lose the battle before fight even begins.
In war, resolution; in defeat, defiance; in victory, magnanimity
With this famous quote, Winston Churchill transpired succinctly that we have to have Will power not to quit when we face failures and not to serve our ego when we succeed. While developing awareness about the purpose of our life, while focusing on the purpose that inspires us most, we have to learn to remain humble to serve the greater cause of humanity.
More from Shilpan at Success Soul.
Great post Shilpan. I love studying great leaders. Transparency is always my favorite quality in a leader (or any person).
I love these two sentences: “Most of us fail in life as we do not win the fight against our own mind. We lose the battle before fight even begins.” Well said and very wise! The strongest battle is always in our own mind!
These are words of wisdom to live by. Churchill was an extraordinary person for an extraordinary time. We are still waiting for ours, it seems. Thank you for the reminder of what greatness sounds like and how it manifests.
I really like the idea of not being deterred by failure. Very inspiring. Thank you.
Thanks Shilpan and Alex. Great post!
What I find fascinating about Churchill is not his achievements alone, but the fact that he achieved what he did even though he experienced ongoing depression (which he called his “black dog”) since he was a young man.
@Jennifer -
Thank you as always for the kind words. I agree with my personal experience that when I lost an idea, it was lost in my mind long ago.
@Carol -
Winston Churchill was an outstanding leader who despite his own setbacks, lead the world towards a peaceful existence with strength. He knew that Hitler will become a burden for the world before most leaders had any clue.
@Vered -
Thanks for the sentiment. His life always inspires me.
@Mags -
You’ve hit nail in the head. Not many people know that his own life was in turmoil at times yet he always loved his nation and kept positive influence on his people to defeat the evil of Hitler.
Thank you all for the comments,
Shilpan
The thing I like about Sir Churchill was that he had the guts to be himself. Famously chided for being drunk, he responded with something along the lines of “You are correct madam. I am drunk. But you are ugly and tomorrow I shall be sober.”
ISTR, he was also a painter and amateur historian. I wish he had remained long enough to blog.