What's on my mind? Queen Elizabeth II – lessons on leadership

In the spring of 1952, a young princess on a tough world tour took a rest from her official duties. She retreated to the now infamous Treetops Hotel, a couple of hours drive from Nairobi where she spent a few days?relaxing.?

However, the dawn of February 6, 1952, brought with it the news of her father’s death and things would never be the same for the now, Queen Elizabeth II.

After 70 years on the throne, regardless of where you are in the world, you will all of heard of Queen Elizabeth’s passing last Thursday evening.?Many of you will always remember what you were doing when you heard. I was at our senior leadership team meeting and due to host a dinner. Choking back tears I shared some thoughts with the team about Queen Elizabeth and how she had come to win a special place in my heart.?

Over the weekend, I visited Windsor Castle (the Queen’s official residence) to pay my respects. I did not know what to expect, other than a sea of people.?As we arrived, there was a calm whisper of the crowd as we passed by the flowers and personal notes of admiration thanking our Queen for her service. My favorite was a hand crocheted Queen and King on the gates of the castle.?I also loved the picture of the Queen with her beloved Corgi, and the drawing of Paddington telling her not to be frightened as the world would be holding her hand.

Her loss has been felt around the world.?She was special, not only to the UK, but to the commonwealth and beyond.?She was a person who we can all learn something from, a person we can look to as a role model and ultimately as a leader.

She was, above all, a servant

She ascended the throne at a very young age but showed maturity, character, determination, and commitment.

On her 21st?birthday, she addressed the UK and wider Commonwealth and shared her vision with the world. She said, “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”

She put in the work

During World War 2, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service to become an expert mechanic and driver. Despite being a princess, she trained alongside every other British women without special favour, before returning to the palace and continuing with official duties.

Even in her mid-90s Queen Elizabeth II was working 40 hour weeks. She gave her patronage to more than 600 charities, public service organisations and military associations and attended hundreds of engagements every year.

She stayed curious

Queen Elizabeth II didn’t shy away from asking questions and had a curious mind to the very end. This was evident from her interactions?with world leaders, celebrities and with members of the public?- from eminent lawyers, to coal miners and care workers. She asked a lot of questions and always carefully listened to the response, making sure to understand and learn from every interaction.

She embraced change

When she ascended the throne in 1953, she wanted to connect with people at a more personal level and changed the broadcast of the coronation ceremony from?radio?to television – effectively creating the first UK mass TV event (against even Winston Churchill’s advice).

She created the walkabout, where she would interact one to one with members of the public – setting the standard for other world leaders and celebrities ever since.

She was the first head of a state to send an email in 1976.

She was a great communicator

During the Queen’s first Christmas speech on television in 1957 she said:

“Today we need a special kind of courage, not the kind needed in battle but a kind which makes us stand up for everything that we know is right.?We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics so that we can show the world that we are not afraid of the future”.

Wow!

She was a role model

There’s a phrase; ‘Behaviour creates standards.?Standards create a culture. Culture drives behaviour.’?I can’t recall who first said this but the behaviour, standards, and culture that the Queen upheld is clear to me.?Some people will likely say that the privileges that the Queen had made this easy. I disagree.?We see countless examples of people from all around the world abusing the power they are given. I would challenge anyone to stay in their job for 70 years and retain the positivity, resilience, and level of dedication to duty as Queen Elizabeth did.?

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II is a sad moment for many; in the UK and around the world.?Her 70 years on the throne provided a constant at a time of profound social change; as US President Biden said in a tribute, “she defined an era”.?EU President von der Leyen said that the Queen’s “empathy and ability to connect with every passing generation… was an example of true leadership”.?

I will simply say, I will miss you Ma’am, you were and will remain an inspiration.