Imagine the devastation of a hurricane, yet the US President, rightly, said all he could against the fury of God; 'we will get the money, and you can take it.'
Giving hope at times of tragedy, whether to a colleague or to a nation, is so often overlooked, but the biggest weapon of a leader.
My annual lecture at Oxford University on Leadership Lessons from the Hindu scriptures for the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, draws upon the despondent, desperate Arjun, as he turns to Krishna, who inspires him with hope.
Or take the Bible the New Testament; parable upon parable to lost souls to hold out hope. Give your colleagues hope, and you are leading them.
Back in 2016 the Guardian paper did a list of books to give you hope (in case the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita are not your thing):
How to be a Person in the World
Thief of Time
Landing Light
The View from Saturday
This is Water
A Country Doctor's Notebook
The Warmth of Other Suns
Z for Zachariah
Of course, having mentioned Hinduism and Christianity, it would be remiss not to mention Budhism when it comes to hope - and the Dalai Lama's book 'The Art of Happiness'.
And on Leadership Harvard Business Review did a list that 'every young leader' must read:
Marcus Aurelius, The Emperor’s Handbook.
Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
Tom Wolfe, A Man in Full
Michael Lewis, Liar’s Poker
Jim Collins, Good to Great
Robert Cialdini, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Richard Tedlow, Giants of Enterprise
Bill George, True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership
As for those popular TED talks on leadership and hope:
Simon Sinek: Why good leaders make you feel safe | TED Talk | TED ...
Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership
The Puzzle of Motivation, by Dan Pink
What Makes us Feel Good About Our Work? By Dan Ariely
Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe, by Simon Sinek
What It Takes To Be A Great Leader, by Roselinde Torres
A Life of Purpose, by Rick Warren
How To Start A Movement, by Derek Sivers
Why We Do What We Do, by Tony Robbins
Leadership is not an end in itself, it is not to be measured by the number of followers. It is hope to even one person. That is why when I received an email from the editor of this newspaper, who at the Asian Achievers Awards had raised with George and his ABPL team £150,000 – that was hope and leadership to all the children who will benefit. That is leadership.
