The Last to speak

Nelson Mandela is universally regarded as a great leader. Wherever you would go, you would find different figures considered as leaders but Nelson Mandela is universally considered and is a special case in leadership. Nelson Mandela was the son of a chief and he was once asked, “How did you learn to be a great leader ?” He responded that he would go with his father to tribal meetings when he was young and he would recall two things when his father would meet with the village elders:

1) They would always sit in a circle

2) His father was always the last to speak

Being the last to speak gives you the benefit to hear everyone out before you express your opinion. It helps make everyone in the meeting feel that they have contributed and have been heard. By giving other people a chance to speak, you understand where they come from and why they have the opinions they have. Its hard but this was Nelsons Mandela’s greatest strength. Hold your opinions and always be the last to speak as a leader.