Question

Arguably, one of the most influential servant leaders of our time has been Nelson Mandela. What characteristics of servant leadership did Mandela display? Do you think they were culturally influenced? Which of these would you have found personally challenging to display if you faced the same conditions that he did? Do you think that challenge is culturally influenced?

Answer 1

What characteristics of servant leadership did Mandela display

Nelson Mandela was a great leader who is known for his greatness and humble nature. He is someone who has taught the true meaning of leadership and True example of differentiation between effective Manager and a great leader.

He has got the following qualities of a great leader –

• He was a man known for his peace and legacy.
• He always smiles no matters who’s enemy or who’s loving
• He had a great sense of forgiveness with a big heart
• He possessed positive thinking and always spread positive vibes
• He was focussed on goals and mission
• He was patient, humble and never has hatred feeling for anyone.

He always referred himself as the servant for the people and of the people. He never showed his power never had any attitude for the authorities he possessed instead shared his leadership with others and allowed them to lead. His service attitude was rare and commendable.

Do you think they were culturally influenced?

Mandela came to western culture at the age of 23. He adapted towards the western culture and was comfortable. But at this age, your values, your beliefs, etiquettes you have, moral values and ethical principles are already developed. So, you perceived things as per your own experience. Mandela belongs to that society wherein legends were born, he learned how to work in cooperation and for others, how to feel freedom inside and outside, valuing education. He worked in such a way that he never scared of accepting his mistakes and always see himself in mirror, a reflection of what he does. He never felt insensitive for his doings and accepted openly.

Which of these would you have found personally challenging to display if you faced the same conditions that he did

He went in a jail for 27 years approx. for no cause and when he got out of the jail, he had no sense of hatred feeling for others who imprisoned him unjustly, he didn’t have feeling for a revenge, he never felt of attacking back, never he named them.

This is quite challenging for me to work with the same people who intentionally imprisoned me for no cause and be nice to them in return after spoiling those 27 years of my life in prison. Not at all.

Do you think that challenge is culturally influenced?

Yes probably, we react as we learned through our experiences and what we have been taught.