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Shakespeare, born 450 years ago today, is known for his wit, and considered the greater writer in the English language by many. But did you know he gave great leadership advice?
“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”
― William Shakespeare, All’s Well That Ends Well
You’ll come across many people in your lifetime. We are encouraged by the Bible to love all, and Will does the same. He goes on to give better advice with ‘trust a few’. A good leader will find his/her few trusted advisors. Again, we encouraged by the Bible to be kind to our fellow man, and to do wrong to none.
“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”
― William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
Marianne Williamson said it also with “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” However we end up in a leadership position, do not be afraid.
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
― William Shakespeare
If you wait on some outside force to lead you down a path, you’ll wait forever. Today, make a decision and follow it. We are the masters of our own fate and we create our own destiny.
“Dispute not with her: she is lunatic.”
― William Shakespeare, Richard III
There are people in the world that are simply crazy. You’ll not win an argument with them, there is no amount of persuasion that will change their mind. Learn how to identify who those people are and avoid them please.
“Our doubts are traitors,
and make us lose the good we oft might win,
by fearing to attempt.”
― William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure
Be not afraid to try sometime. Let your doubts be acknowledged and go forward and do it anyway. There is no reason to be afraid of failure, we all fail. But have you tried? Attempt it, fall down, learn why you failed, get up and do it better. Don’t let those doubts creep up on you and stop you from trying something. I’ve often heard my dad say ‘follow your first mind’. That’s the mind before the doubts have crept in!
“Listen to many, speak to a few.”
― William Shakespeare
Listen, listen and listen some more. Hear what people are saying. Find out what they want. Take away the good from their ideas and wishes and work with your team and create magic for the people. Your team of trusted advisors, volunteers, participants in your dreams will take those wants and wishes and together you can build the dream.
“One may smile, and smile, and be a villain. ”
― William Shakespeare, Hamlet
We all learn this lesson. The bad guy is not always dressed in black.
Happy Birthday Mr. Shakespeare! Thanks for the leadership lessons.
