Nelson Mandela and the Leadership Practice of Modeling the Way

Introduction: Leadership as a Learnable Art

Leadership is a complex art that requires practice but can ultimately be learned by any aspiring student wishing to improve toward their potential. The five practices of exemplary leadership encompass many important ideas regarding this phenomenon. The purpose of this essay is to explain the specific leadership practice of "Modeling the Way" using the example of former South African president and human rights activist Nelson Mandela. Mandela's example is used to demonstrate how his particular leadership approach embodies and enriches this practice. This essay includes examples of Mandela's values and how they apply to his leadership style. Additionally, his example-setting behaviors are examined to further illustrate how this practice relates to improving one's leadership qualities.

Developing a Value System and Leadership Voice

Leaders must first demonstrate their guiding principles and establish a foundation from which to build a voice. Morals and ethical lessons learned during an individual's life often serve as the ingredients of this value system. An understanding that the external world surrounding the individual is shaped by the individual's own internal perspective lies at the heart of this idea of guiding principles and values. Having confidence in oneself is necessary to fully explore this practice and to achieve the most from it.

In Mandela's case, "self-confidence was also reflected in his capacity for self-criticism and his active interest in learning from his own mistakes" (Lieberfeld, 2003). Mandela credited his entire career and accomplishments to the internal compass from which his values radiated. This ability to develop one's self-identity and cultivate the confidence needed to navigate the complexities of group dynamics and conflict management is essential to Modeling the Way — the first principle of exemplary leadership.

Mandela's Leadership Style and the Seven Transformations

Rooke and Torbert (2005) described leadership through seven distinct transformations, providing a useful framework by which a developing leader might orient their own style. These categories include the Opportunist, the Diplomat, the Expert, the Achiever, the Individualist, the Strategist, and the Alchemist. Applying this model to Mandela, he appears to fall most clearly within the Alchemist category. The Alchemist leadership style is defined as one who "generates social transformations integrated [with] material, spiritual, and societal transformation" (p. 3).

In the historic ending of apartheid in South Africa — due in large part to Mandela's leadership — a deeply divided society was transformed into something with a more unified and just character. That said, Mandela's leadership style transcends any single category, as elements of each transformation can be identified in his achievements. Demonstrating expertise, for example, is inherent in any large-scale movement that seeks to overturn entrenched governmental systems.

Conclusion: Maturity, Principles, and Exemplary Leadership

Nelson Mandela's leadership style can be evaluated at a much deeper level, and his actions deserve to be celebrated accordingly. It is important to understand that his leadership style is built on simple principles and an original concept that can be described as Modeling the Way. Within this model, the foundational ingredients of morals and ethics eventually shaped the examples of leadership that were carried into action. When that system is working at its peak, great change becomes possible — as seen in the South African example and in Mandela's own life.