I try to make my Friday PPILL about leadership.
Given the circumstances and being Friday today, I cannot write about anything else, but the British monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II passed away yesterday at 96. During her 70-year reign, she has been criticized, applauded, and analyzed. She will be remembered in many ways but “simple”. Some will argue about her leadership role, and about how relevant a monarchy can be in this day and age. The truth is that many looked up to her. That’s leadership.
For those bitterly mourning her passing, I am sorry for your loss.
Now, as tradition calls for, it will be Charles’ turn to take the throne.
And speaking about leadership, there hasn’t been many leaders of this stature who have been “preparing” for this long. Many leaders either start younger, with some degree of natural talent, and get “on the job training” as they go along; or others, while wading through complex hierarchies, they end up being past their time, and it just never happens for them.
Charles’ case is quite a unique one, and perhaps we’ll learn something about the nurture vs. nature balance in leadership.
Long live the King.