Editorial by Managing Director Alexander De Beir
Who is your inspirational leader?
Question: According to you, who are the most inspiring “leaders” in history?
In 2013, PWC posed this question to 1,300 business leaders worldwide, revealing some intriguing results (source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/mahatma-gandhi-among-leaders-most-admired-by-ceos-globally/articleshow/19561667.cms?from=mdr).
Remarkably, political figures—Churchill, Gandhi and Mandela (ranking 1st, 3rd and 4th, respectively)—have effortlessly withstood the test of time. Two American entrepreneurs, Steve Jobs (2nd place) and the less known in Europe, Jack Welch (5th place), rounded out the top. Welch, the Chairman and CEO of General Electric from 1981 to 2001, closed factories, laid off employees and presented a vision for rapid growth in a slow economy. At first glance, one might think the common thread among these five is their resilience and perseverance.
Leadership Traits:
“Some clear types emerged: warriors (Napoleon; Alexander the Great), reformers (Jack Welch), leaders through adversity (Winston Churchill; Abraham Lincoln), leaders who caught the imagination of the masses (Mahatma Gandhi; Nelson Mandela) and consensus builders like Bill Clinton”, stated PwC.
Interestingly, even back in 2013, the 1,300 surveyed leaders considered flexibility, diligence, vision, pragmatism, transparency, motivation, agility, altruism, ethics and innovation as essential for good leadership. Another noteworthy finding was that only one woman, Margaret Thatcher (7th place), made it to the top 10. Hopefully, female leaders from both the distant past and recent decades will now receive the recognition they deserve.
In 2024, it would undoubtedly be fascinating to revisit this question and see if the top 5 looks entirely different or not. Do you already know who you would mention?
Patience or... Anonymity?
The last ten years have been particularly hectic, marked by inventions and technological advancements—including the growth of social media and the rise of (generative) artificial intelligence—coupled with dramatic events (pandemics, terrorism and wars) and a sense of urgency (climate crises, widespread burnout). These factors have made it exceptionally challenging for emerging leaders to choose a course and withstand the pressure of public opinions.
The term “LeadQuotient” rightfully signifies agility, forward-thinking and a sensitivity to solution-oriented thinking. Leaders must continually be capable of efficiently and sustainably extinguishing potential fires while adapting seamlessly to circumstances and thinking ahead.
This makes it not easy for them to quickly build an image of an unwavering leader in the short term.
Leading Interim Managers
Dear Leader (in the making),
You might find this less amusing, but to stand a chance at earning the title of an inspiring leader, you’ll likely need a considerable amount of patience. Fortunately, the noble profession of historians will endure and individuals will only be restored to honor after their deeds have proven crucial in uncertain times. Sadly, some might not even attain the fame they deserve, not even in a distant future. Similarly, certain inspiring leaders in companies may only enjoy the appreciation they deserve once they’ve already moved on to a new mission. Of course, we also think primarily of interim managers, often “leading” in the sense of introducing new processes or steering projects in the right direction. And you, would you rather be remembered by colleagues for who you were or what you accomplished?
