WHEN the entire world was still trying to shake off the effects of the pandemic, Russia went off and invaded Ukraine with ferocity. While some countries avoided becoming entangled, many others provided support the best way they could, exhausting diplomatic channels to convince the Russian despot, Vladimir Putin, to cease in his aggression. Now, as the world looks on, the more they wish they had the president of Ukraine as their own.
It is not often that world leaders are exposed to extraordinary conditions, just like the pandemic, which brought out the best and the worst of them. The invasion of Ukraine further shows how the leadership of a man named Volodymyr Zelenskyy can face up to even the might of a superpower. And while our leaders do not face an aggressor as formidable as Russia, there are some lessons we can gain from Zelenskyy’s example of how it is to be a leader.
When Zelenskyy was provided a way out of Ukraine by the US, he was supposedly quoted as saying, “The fight is here—I need ammunition, not a ride.” While some doubt if he really did say those exact words, his actions are enough proof to demonstrate his courage as a leader. Real leaders show up even in the toughest of conditions and stay with their team. They are where the fight is and do their best to defend their team. Their team understands that when things become tough, their leader will always be alongside them.
And not just be there, but also with their team. Zelenskyy understands the value of his people and used that understanding to inspire loyalty, not just to him, but to the country. This has motivated citizens of other countries to respect and support Ukraine’s cause, even inspiring others to be patriotic to their own countries.
As a leader, he has been empathetic and understands where his people are coming from. When leaders represent the ideals and virtues of the people they lead, it becomes a potent force for influencing not just their people, but others as well. Your influence as a leader does not stop in your team. It spills over to other groups and teams.
As I hear and read more on the events, I am more and more amazed at how much willpower and dedication the Ukrainians have in defending their country. Zelenskyy’s leadership has fomented this culture where everyone understands the objective and does whatever they can to defend their country. Because that is also the kind of person Zelenskyy is. Your leadership will stem from your character—show me your followers and I will tell you what kind of leader you are. As a leader, you are what you attract.
An important expectation from a leader is their ability to inspire confidence by being with their people. A litmus test is that when you approach your team, do they part like the red sea or do they welcome your presence? True, there are sycophants who will mill around you hoping to get your approval, but can the lowest member of your team readily approach you? If not, you might be inspiring compliance more than engagement. A true leader draws people to themselves and inspires others to maximize their potential, and shows others how to get there.
When Zelenskyy ran for president in 2019, there were people who ridiculed and taunted his background as not befitting of a president. But the former comedian—who also earned a law degree from the Kyiv National Economic University—proved them all wrong. He did not allow his background to affect his leadership. In fact, his background as an actor helped make him relatable, helping him also to communicate effectively to both Ukrainians and the world. A good leader knows how to communicate even in the face of the disinformation or propaganda coming from Russia. He knew what to say to inspire support, not just from his own people but from the rest of the world. People often forget that they should communicate to be understood rather than to hide behind words. So, when leaders speak in abstracts instead of concrete plans, they are just manipulating people.
A good leader knows when to rally their team and when to inspire them. To do this, leaders need to know individual members of their team and their team’s motivations. When leaders spend most of their time in their office, with little or no interaction with their team, they will not understand how their team thinks. Good leaders spend time with their team in a setting other than the office, so they can observe their team’s behavior and how each member interacts with the rest. Understanding the group dynamics of their team can help leaders understand when to push their team to better productivity, and when to sit with them and remind them of their purpose as a team.
One of the highlighted qualities of Zelenskyy is his servant leadership—putting the needs of his followers first. Zelenskyy understood they are up against a superpower but that has not stopped him from rallying his people to defend their country. Pictures of Zelenskyy alongside his soldiers have roused feelings of nationalism from people all over the world and inspired his people to remain steadfast because they have a leader who is not only for them, but with them. His authority emanates from his evident desire to serve his people in the best way he knows how, and the world respects him even more for his courage and integrity.
As a leader, build your character because you never know when you will have to rise to challenging times. If there is one thing that Zelenskyy’s leadership has shown, it is that your character will show in the toughest of situations. And if your foundation is tenuous, your entire leadership will crumble and collapse under the weight of your responsibility and people’s expectations. Be like Zelenskyy, whose sphere of influence extends beyond the borders of his own country. n
Image credits: AP