Stay in the Game Leader Spotlight: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

Although we do not know the end game of the Russian/Ukrainian war as of today,?we believe that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine deserves our recognition for his “Stay in the Game Leadership”. ?In the United States he would be a candidate for the John F. Kennedy “Profiles in Courage Award” created in 1989 by members of President Kennedy’s family to honor him and to recognize and celebrate the quality of political courage that he admired most. The award recognizes a public official (or officials) at the federal, state, or local level whose actions demonstrate the qualities of politically courageous leadership in the spirit of Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage Pulitzer prize-winning book.

Despite being outmanned by Russian troops and led by Vladimir Putin’s demonic goal of an unbridled pursuit of unbridled power, this President of Ukraine has remained in his country and continues to communicate in press conferences and social media with messages of optimism to his fellow country citizens:

I am here, I am staying, and I am with you.?

Here is his exact quote, ''Listen. I am here. We will not lay down the weapons. We will defend our state. Because our weapon is our truth.”?When he was identified as the #1 person on Russia’s ‘hit to kill list’, the U. S. White House offered to give him a way out of Ukraine for his safety.?His response was, “I need ammunition, not a ride.”

Again, we don’t know how this situation ‘ends’, but what a great example of?a leader, under incredible siege, who has been an inspirational role model for his people and, frankly, for the world. Like Winston Churchill, Britain’s wartime prime minister during the worst of Hitler’s World War II attacks, he personifies his nation’s determination to not give in and to resist invasion and defeat.?He refuses to abandon his people and has survived multiple assassination attempts.

Zelenskyy, a former comedian and unlikely political leader, is exhibiting three key qualities of “Stay in the Game Leadership”:

• COURAGE:?He exemplifies the underestimated tenacity of Ukrainians who are supporting the military and defending their cities whose doctors and professionals are grabbing rifles and teachers who are making Molotov cocktails in their kitchens to throw at Russian troops.?Against all odds, he and his family have decided to stay in the country’s capital as the Russians are making their way to overtake the government.
• CONVICTION:?His strong pride and love for his country and commitment to the principles of freedom and peace have persuaded not only his citizens but also European leaders that Ukrainians’ fight is also theirs.?He has chosen to step up and speak out.?The result is that his courage is contagious and leaders and people around the world are doing the same.
• COMMUNICATION:?Zelenskyy is continuously sending personalized messages via press conferences and social media to his citizens, NATO and other world leaders about the status of the war effort and what his country desperately needs to continue not only his country’s, but what he believes is the world’s, fight for freedom against Russia’s terrorist tyranny.

What Zelenskyy has exposed is leaders who were too complacent and have delivered, perhaps, too little too late.?He is demonstrating a perseverance to not only “stay in the game” that has become increasingly perilous right before his and his citizens’ eyes. His heroism has touched people across the world, not only political leaders, but has garnered support form Formula One and European football and other sports executives to cancel/shut out Russian sponsorship and participation.

With every new promise of aid and prayers for them remaining safe, Ukraine and its leader seemed to provide examples of the kind of strength that all of us hope we can rally upon when called. There is no faking that kind of courage, and no way to tell whether we have it until the time we need it most.

We should be reminded that ‘stay in the game’ leadership does not mean that you ‘stay the course’.?Again, we don’t know the next phases of this war—but it could be that strategically, he may need to leave the Kyiv capital to be essential for his country’s hope for liberation.

Maybe a good team discussion would be to ask yourself and your team, what have we learned from Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian’s about stay in the game leadership??

Be sure to subscribe to my Stay in the Game Leadership Newsletter where I’ll share my candid thoughts on leadership and real-life stories of leaders who are choosing to “stay in the game.”

Do you have a Leadership topic or question you would like me to cover??Leave a comment below and stay tuned for future articles.

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