Blog
Queen Elizabeth II
As a community, we were saddened to learn the news that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away, and we offer our sincere condolences on her passing.
Like many others, my forty-something years have known Her Majesty as one great constant. Prime Ministers, political parties, fashions, trends – all have come and gone (some to return later, others to never be repeated), yet the Queen has been the figurehead of state throughout.
It matters not whether one is a royalist, we can all acknowledge the feelings of loss at this time and, importantly, the gratitude and celebration for the Queen’s years of service and leadership. I, for one, do not expect to be working in my nineties, yet in Her Majesty we have a role model for exactly that.
I love to reflect on, and learn from, the characteristics of strong female leaders and, in Queen Elizabeth, I find plenty upon which to focus; there are a couple of key points which I intend to share here.
Firstly, having a clear and ambitious vision: I am sure there were many facets to the Queen's vision, but the one that struck me the most was her desire to eliminate avoidable blindness. When I heard this, I was staggered. Firstly, by the magnitude and scale of this statement (after all, the Queen was no medic), and secondly by the tremendous compassion shown in such an intention; what an incredible force for good.
And the impact? Well, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust helped more than 22 million people in Africa and the Pacific receive antibiotics to combat trachoma, which is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness. It provided sight-saving surgery to more than 104k people, and facilitated treatment of diabetes for 106k people who were at risk of sight-loss, too. For all the pomp and show of official state occasions, I find this impact humbling. [Source]
The second significant leadership takeaway is Her Majesty's capacity to face and embrace change, even when to do so was been extremely challenging. When comparing the world as it was at the time of her coronation, something we can easily do by viewing the nostalgic TV imagery airing now, it becomes so obvious as to the enormity of societal evolution since her coronation; even great change can be navigated in manageable quantities.
Finally, I heard ex-Prime Minister Sir John Major make an emotive tribute on Thursday evening and, in doing so, he described her humanity and willingness to give her time:
Talking of the first time they met, he said the natural nervousness that comes with meeting a head of state ‘Lasts a matter of minutes, because the welcome is very warm, it is very informal, there is nobody else there, nobody takes notes, there is nothing off the agenda and it is a conversation that just flows with the greatest of ease.
[ITV.com]
So, as the country and indeed the world mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, I am taking with me three great lessons in the art of leadership:
- Having ambitious vision;
- Embracing change gracefully;
- The importance of connection.
Rest in peace, Your Majesty, and thank you for your service.
