The Leadership of a Queen: 1926-2022

As I came online today to post my weekly Thursday newsletter, I was greeted with the devastating news of the loss of Britains longest reigning sovereign.

Elizabeth Alexandria Mary Windsor was not only the heir of the United Kingdom as she fulfilled her call to duty as head of state, but from the age of 25, she has faced many challenges, opposition and hurdles to be the leader the world has known for 70 years.

There may be countless controversies surrounding the monarch, but there is no doubt of the excellence and self-sacrifice the Queen has made as an individual human committed to serving.

In honour of her, our nation and what she has given every step of the way, here are five quotes that have demonstrated her leadership and wisdom throughout a historic life.

1. "The world is not the most pleasant place. Eventually your parents leave you and nobody is going to go out of their way to protect you unconditionally. You need to learn to stand up for yourself and what you believe and sometimes, pardon my language, kick some ass.”

How many of us give time, effort and energy to deciphering and being consumed by a world that is just the way it is. We can either be constrained by the suffocation emotions bring or we can stand up for our right to believe, to exist and to be. Regardless of the ways in which life evolves before us, we have control, we have agency and an innate ability to charge forward and as Queen Elizabeth puts it to ‘’kick some ass’’. She has led by example for the world and Britain as she advised 15 prime ministers, the last being few days before her death.

2. ‘’We need to get a balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock’’

There is no leadership without reflection, without agility and an ability to take stock and adapt. We have mourned, we have been at the point of giving up and we have despaired but it is important to not allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by how far and long we have yet to go to achieve. It is only when we pause, that we realise the realities and our place in all the movement. In this balance and peace, we will find the solutions we seek but the minute we give in to distractions, we become blind to the vision we had hoped to pursue.

3. “Religion and culture are much in the news these days, usually as sources of difference and conflict, rather than for bringing people together. But the irony is that every religion has something to say about tolerance and respecting others.”

Misinterpretations of religions, toxic cultures and people hellbent on control and force have caused wars and devastations throughout the world. Our division and susceptibility to follow the herd and what is known has made tolerance almost impossible for some. Instead of using our differences against each other, we need to make room for inclusive conversations where we learn and embrace all the ways we are all connected and similar. Having faith and God is a source of strength for many, let's celebrate all our identities and backgrounds, instead of fearing and hating what doesn't resonate with our choices or understanding.

4. “When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”

No weapon formed against one who is set and determined shall ever succeed. The greatest strength comes when we think we have no strength at all. It comes when we fall and awaken every part of us to keep going forward. As our nation faces one crisis after another, my heart mourns for the suffering we are experiencing individually and collectively but I am filled with hope and resilience as we stand united for a better future.

5. ‘’It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the hard progress of humankind.”

This is one of my favourite quotes. It is so profound because she had demonstrated that the stereotypical and patriarchal definition of leadership that we have normalised isn’t how we achieve progress. There is no need for aggression, ego and power dynamics that belittle others. It is in our kindness, in the gentleness of our speech and the compassion and empathy in our hearts that can drive the necessary change required for a brighter future.

I will end this article with that quote because for us to serve our communities like Queen Elizabeth ll has served her nation, for us to humanise our systems and be true to our commitments, we must breathe care into our work and purpose.

The UK will begin 10 days of mourning on Friday, Operation Unicorn is underway and for those of you who are in shock, in pain and disbelief at this difficult time, please lean on loved ones and share.

We are a nation holding hands during this trails and tribulations. I hope these quotes bring us comfort as we reflect on the the remarkable 96 years lived and shared with the world.