8 Lessons of Leadership

As Mandela celebrated his 90th birthday, he shared his leadership lessons with the rest of us as reported in Time.
His 8 lessons are:
1. Courage is not the absence of fear - it's inspiring others to move beyond it.
2. Lead from the front - but don't leave your base behind.
3. Lead from the back - and let others believe they are in front.
4. Know your enemy - and learn about his favorite sport.
5. Keep your friends close - and your rivals even closer.
6. Appearance matter - and remember to smile.
7. Nothing is black or white.
8. Quitting is leading too.
There are much to muse over as you read through the article on these 8 lessons on leadership. What struck me most is his last lesson. I remember very clearly that one of the precious lessons on leadership is that leaders work themselves out of the job. Leaders are to relentlessly groom, equip and prepare for a successor. And when that person is ready, let him take over. To pass on power belongs only to the powerful. It belongs to one who has understood what gestalt really means. For to be powerful one has to learn to be powerless. Powerlessness is not the absence of power but just that he does not need the power to show his power.