Leadership Through Visibility

A note to young leaders.

I learnt about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II at Dubai International airport. A fellow traveller, a young Scottish guy, commented: “I’m extremely pro-Queen, but anti royal family.”

That alone says a lot about the leadership qualities of the late Queen Elizabeth II, that she could turn reluctant subjects into ardent fans.

She understood the symbolic power of a leader and performed that role to perfection.

A leader needs to embody the vision and mission of their team and inspire a sense of confidence and optimism. To do that, a leader needs to be visible and conspicuous.

She attended countless functions and wore the crown with pride and dignity. “I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am”, she once famously quipped.

A leader cannot hide in their cubby. A leader needs to be seen to be believed.