Happy Birthday My President !!! - Lessons from President Mugabe

Today the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade Robert Mugabe turns 89. By all means this is an achievement that few ever attain. It is therefore apt to say, Happy Birthday, Mr. President.A life of nearly 90 years is a walking library of wisdom, insight and history. Here are some short motivational lessons that this great man has left in his life timeline that have inspired me:

  
 
 Keep fit:
Health will not come without daily effort. Your habits determine your state of health and mind. Eat healthy and you will live long. Discipline is not torture but priming for a longer, healthier life. Cde. Mugabe exercises daily and eats healthy. He has managed his weight well.

Read Widely
Those who do not read widely will always be shallow and near sighted. Wide reading broadens and grows you. The deeper you are on the inside the further you will be able to see and the more strategic you will be. Our President is well read and reads widely. What excuse do you have not to read?

Be Resolute
Leadership is not a consensus club and aggregation of opinions. That is not leadership! Leaders are clear about where they want to go and what they want to become. They make decisions and resolutions and stick by them even if the whole world thinks otherwise. Leaders with no spine will never carry heavy loads and transport people to greatness. Instead of creating one successor, create a broad platform of capable people. Articulate your principles and stick by them and if necessary fight for them.

Do not retire
Retirement is an archiac idea, it is so yesterday. How does one invest his life simply to go and sit under a tree the whole day drinking tea by the hour. I think that is a waste of human potential. Life must be lived to the full. Obsession with retirement makes you waste time, life and potential. Short term revolutioneries could just as well play the lottery. Great leaders want to live out their dreams and also live the consequences of their decisions. I will not retire from my purpose and mission. I also do not plan to retire from being a motivational speaker and writer.

Be a Family Man
Love your family and bless your wife. Be a man of grace and have a gentleman's manners. Oh, while you are at it dress for the occassion and the times. Have taste and take holidays. He does this well. Always create time to rest and reflect, even in the middle of the storm.

Be Strategic
Leadership is all about strategy development and strategy execution. Its about understanding people and deploying them effectively. Use intelligence effectively to stay in the know and execute strategy. Know people for who they are and understand how to balance power. Outmanouvre the competition and reinvent your appeal. Always cling to your market share and what you know is yours.

Humour
Leadership jobs are stressful but there is always time for a good dose of humour. Use it wisely and apply it appropriately. Mr. President you have mastered this art well.

What have you also learnt from this great leader of our nation? Think positive. Celebrate greatness.