In Henry Kissinger’s book, Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy, Kissinger labels French President Charles de Gaulle a “master of circumstance” for the way he seized the moment when it appeared, using it for both personal leadership and national purpose. How true it is that leaders are masters of circumstance, or rather, great leaders master circumstance.
Life happens for better or worse, and truly great leaders have a keen sense for those moments that call for inspired leadership. These might be moments when a team has lost faith, something has gone wrong, or the game feels unwinnable. Often, a leader must stand alone in such moments, seeing beyond the immediate challenge to a greater future, confident in their team’s ability to weather the storm.
Or, mastering circumstance might show up in moments of celebration, where the leader shares in the joy but keeps one eye fixed on the next challenge rising on the horizon.
It can also happen on a smaller scale, like recognizing a subtle call for help from a team member, stopping everything, and acting. Charles de Gaulle was especially gifted at understanding the moment, what it meant for his leadership, and for France. He inserted himself at critical points in World War II, even when others doubted him or cast him aside. He stepped down when compromise threatened his values. He inspired through words and actions at pivotal points in French history, and his legacy endures.
When I fell ill with COVID a few years ago, I faced one of those moments. I told my team I trusted them and had full confidence in their ability. They stepped up and performed. That’s leadership. Not in the form of control, but confidence in others.
Mastering circumstance means keeping your radar tuned to the signals that your leadership is needed. It requires knowing your organization and your people at a deep level. No, we may not be leading nations, but the concept of mastering circumstance is no less vital. We have organizations to influence, teams to support, and people to inspire.
What circumstance will you master next? Keep your radar on.
Make it Personal!
Rob
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