We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A true leader guides and supports from behind, allowing others to take the lead and flourish.
This quote by Nelson Mandela emphasizes a vital aspect of leadership: effective leaders empower and encourage others to lead and excel while providing guidance and support from behind. Rather than demanding front-stage attention, a leader helps shape the direction of a group by nurturing the talents and initiatives of their followers, ensuring that progress occurs collaboratively and smoothly.
Themes
LeadershipGuidanceSupportEmpowermentTeamwork
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about teamwork, you could use this quote to illustrate the importance of supportive leadership.
More from Nelson Mandela
All quotes →What freedom am I being offered while the organization of the people remains banned? Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.
Nelson MandelaRead
The past is a rich resource on which we can draw in order to make decisions for the future, but it does not dictate our choices. We should look back at the past and select what is good, and leave behind what is bad.
Nelson MandelaRead
We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to believe in the goodness of people.
Nelson MandelaRead
After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent. The simple act of being able to control one's person.
Nelson MandelaRead
I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.
Nelson MandelaRead
Similar quotes
We need to stop telling [women], "Get a mentor and you will excel." Instead, we need to tell them, "Excel and you will get a mentor.
Sheryl SandbergRead
There was that argument that if we had more women in positions of authority, the world would be a nicer place. And then we got Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Indira Gandhi. When women become acclimatised to war, they can become every bit as ruthless as men.
Margaret MacmillanRead
A leader’s most powerful ally is his or her own example.
John WoodenRead
When Men are irritated, and the Passions inflamed, they fly hastily and cheerfully to Arms; but after the first emotions are over, to expect, among such People, as compose the bulk of an Army, that they are influenced by any other principles than those of Interest, is to look for what never did, and I fear never will happen
George WashingtonRead
We can succeed only by concert. It is not 'can any of us imagine better?, but 'can we all do better?
Abraham LincolnRead
It's always easier to apologize for something you've already done than to get approval for it in advance.
Grace HopperRead