WHO AM I?

It’s amazing what people can accomplish!
I was born in 1918 in a tribal village. I graduated from high school and went on to college where I graduated in 1942. In 1944, I co-founded the Youth League of the ANC. In 1952, I campaigned for the Defiance of Unjust Laws and was temporarily banned from politics for the first time. I then co-founded the first black law firm in Johannesburg.

In 1964, I was convicted of sabotage and treason and sentenced to life in prison. I declined an offer from my government to be released to a black free area known as Transkei. In 1985, I was offered freedom again if I forswore violence, but I again refused. In 1990, I emerged as a new leader and was released from prison and appointed my country’s president.

I am Nelson Mandela. Imagine the sacrifice Nelson Mandela endured based on what he believed was right. He was quoted as saying in 1961, “The struggle is my life. I will continue to fight for freedom until the end of my days.”

“The struggle is my life.” Can you imagine your life being your number one struggle? Pretty big topic don’t ya think? I am so thankful for amazing people like Mandela, Gandhi, the Dalai Lama for their wonderful contributions to humanity and self-preservation of their guiding principles.

In retrospect it makes my job easier: Build up and encourage the people around me to be the best they can be. What if that’s all anyone had to concern themselves with? Just to take care of the volunteer workforce under your care. To make sure they leave their position with the feeling that they are a better person because they had you as their leader.

You see, you don’t have to be the martyr; you simply need to decide to take it upon yourself to become a Brander-in-Chief, listen and coach people to be the best they can be… that’s all. Compared to Mandela’s life, that seems easy doesn’t it? Next week I’ll share with you Mandela’s eight lessons on leadership.

Joe Kiedinger

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