In the United States, January is a time for reflection and admiration as the nation commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was one of the most esteemed leaders in the country.
Through his actions during the civil rights movement – from organizing boycotts to delivering key speeches – he embodied moral courage that still resonates around the world today.
While Martin Luther King Jr. is best known for his groundbreaking “I Have a Dream” speech, his journey shows that he had a deep understanding of several key disciplines of strategic leadership. These key learnings provide a powerful and inspiring road map for leaders who want to improve their own strategic effectiveness in volatile, uncertain, and complex environments.
Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. left a legacy for us to learn from. That there are universal principles that all powerful people share, no matter what gender or religion they are. Learning these strategies can help any leader make their own mark on society.
Let us honor him by looking at how his leadership can break the mold, inspire people, and drive impactful change.
- Total Commitment To Your Cause.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a man with a dream that was bigger than his time. After all, this is what real leaders with a vision are all about.
King’s commitment to nonviolent political action made him a natural leader and an inspiring figure. He led a movement for equal rights at a time when most people did not agree with him. In fact, many people were either afraid or disliked him (and what he stood for). Yet he stayed true to his values, beliefs, and vision.
Questions for reflection
Do you care as much about your cause? Do you possess the same passion and intensity? How do you make sure that what you do is aligned with what you believe?
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
- Strive For Transformation.
Some people see leadership as assigning tasks and controlling the team. However, transformational leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. have the unique ability to see the big picture and believe in their team’s capacity to achieve greatness – and work hard towards making it a reality.
No matter what barriers or shortcomings they have to overcome, they will persevere. These leaders are the ones who dare to question the status quo and take a huge risk to break the mold.
Questions for reflection
Do you dare to question the status quo to accomplish what you set out to achieve? Are you happy with doing the same old thing everyday and just getting by? How can you shake up the status quo in your industry?
- Master The Art of Communication and Influence.
You have a clear vision and you have the drive for transformation, but how can you get people to support your cause? The key lies in mastering the art of communication and influence. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech is one of the most moving, inspirational, and passionate speeches that the world has ever seen. It continues to fuel people’s desire to join the cause and make a change.
That is the power of influence and communication. Great leaders who master the art of communication and influence will be able to bring their team together to fight for the organization’s cause and convince others to do the same. They are able to motivate their employees, make them feel like they are a part of something bigger, and most importantly, give them a sense of purpose.
That is what makes all the difference.
Questions for reflection
Are you able to motivate and bring your team together with your communication skills? Have you been clearly communicating your vision to every stakeholder? Have you asked the right questions?
- Be Inspired And Inspirational.
We can never predict what might happen in the future. What we can do is decide what mindset we should adopt when faced with adversity. In order to persevere and keep moving forward, you will need a constant source of inspiration.
A good leader is someone who chooses to be inspired by all things big and small, and strives to inspire others to do the same. Inspiration is the fuel that gets your engine going, no matter how difficult things might get.
Questions for reflection
Do you find it easy or hard to be inspired by the most ordinary things? Have you ever inspired someone to do something they are scared to do? Does your team feel energized and motivated whenever they are around you?
- Embody What You Stand For.
You cannot drive real change unless you walk the talk. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights by traveling more than six million miles and giving more than 2,500 speeches. That’s called putting words into action.
Vision, a great speech, and inspiration will not get you very far if you cannot act based on what you stand for as a leader. Big ideas, dreams, innovations, need to be followed through with real execution. Getting your hands dirty is a great sign that you are willing to back up what you are saying.
Questions for reflection
Do your actions reflect your values, beliefs, and cause? Have you encouraged the people around you to do the same?
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others.”
Related read: 10 Traits of A Purpose-driven Leader
Let us all take these leadership lessons from Martin Luther King Jr. and strive to be better.
A better leader.
A better parent.
A better person.
For others, as well as ourselves.
