Sir Winston Churchill had a career that had no parallel in British history for richness, range, length, and achievement. Much can be learned from the man best remembered as an inspirer of the people and a prime architect of victory during World War II.
The Man
Sir Winston Churchill was born on Nov. 30, 1874, at Blenheim Palace. His father, Lord Randolph Churchill, was a brilliant Conservative leader who had been Chancellor of the Exchequer in his 30’s but died at the age of 46. His death served to spur the young Winston on to try and make a name for himself in politics and in writing. Throughout his early life, Winston Churchill had to make his own way in the world, earning his living by his tongue and his pen. He was, however, fortunate to have a mother who was always courageous and undaunted.
In May, 1940, Winston Churchill became both Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Minister of Defence. He was to remain in office until 1945. Queen Elizabeth II conferred on Churchill the dignity of Knighthood and invested him with the insignia of the Order of the Garter in 1953. Among the other countless honours and decorations he received, special mention should be made of the honorary citizenship of the United States which President Kennedy conferred on him in 1963.
Lessons In Career Leadership
Sir Winston Churchill’s dominant qualities were his courage and imagination – virtues that can be found in most successful people. A master at oratory, Churchill had natural wit and was able to win over the influence of others through this skill. He was something of a gambler too, always willing to take risks. This is another important attribute towards career success. But the greatest lesson to be had from Churchill was the energy and passion that he put into all his endeavours.
To be successful, you must have a passion to succeed – a passion that drives you to prepare yourself to excel. One of his most famous quotes epitomises his strength of character. During WWII he once said: “You ask, What is our policy? I will say; “It is to wage war, by sea, by land and by air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.” You ask, What is our aim? I can answer with one word: Victory – victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival”