The Russian invasion of Ukraine was expected to be a walk-over for the former mighty Red Army. Instead, the Ukrainian resistance has not just humbled one of the world's largest militaries but shown us what courage against herculean odds looks like. At the helm of the mantle is not a seasoned politician or a military general but a former comedian. President Zelensky's leadership has demonstrated hope against authoritarianism and given the world a masterclass in leadership.
Lesson 1: Empathy is an action, not just an emotion
"I need ammunition, not a ride" – was one of the most quoted words of President Zelensky during the early days of the invasion. Empathy in leadership has moved beyond the ability to listen, validate, and support a person's feelings. Empathy in leadership is not just the ability to sense other people's emotions but to demonstrate through personal sacrifice that you are with them. Zelensky could have easily fled or hidden in an underground bunker, but instead, he chose to lead by putting himself and his family in harm's way to show his people that I'm in it with you. That commitment and leadership by example have inspired their loyalty and willingness to make their own sacrifices.
Lesson 2: Leaders are authentic and relatable
Monday blues are real, but how often do you have visuals of mortar shelling from your office window. Zelensky's quip that "Monday is a tough day" while showing the shelling outside his office almost makes you chuckle in its innocence and authenticity. We are likely never to witness bombardment from our office windows, but the common thread we all share despite our circumstances is that our struggles, worries, and concerns to be achieving our goals, doing enough for the people that matter to us and for ourselves are the same and very real. Leaders do not put up a façade of stoicism but show us that we see the same person on television, that we might meet in person.
Lesson 3: Leaders create a sense of purpose and belongingness
In one of President Zelensky's addresses, he says, "we are fighting for our freedom and for our lands." By aligning the goal of the resistance with a common purpose of defending democratic values, Zelensky rallied his countrymen and world leaders to the Ukrainian cause like never before in world history. A purpose may not be as consequential as democratic freedoms but aspiring to leave a place better than it was found is no less worthy a purpose.
Most of us will never lead a country during wartime, but we can still rise to the occasion to be leaders at our workplace and in our communities. Each of us can apply the lessons we see in President Zelensky's leadership in our everyday lives.
