Monday, 8 April 2013
Iron sharpens iron
Whether you are an avid supporter or severest critic of Margaret Thatcher, most people will agree she earned her title of "The Iron Lady". Certainly "the lady" "wasn't for moving" on matters of principle or policy (or the poll tax for that matter).
As Thomas Jefferson once said "In matters of style swim with the current, but in matters of principle stand like a rock".
What does it mean to stand "rock like" or even "iron like" on matters of principle?
Are we actively aware of the values that govern our lives and our decision making? Do we have the self awareness and the self confidence to make them known? Do we too easily relativise, adapt, adjust and find ourselves swimming with the tide in matters of both style and principle?
I didn't particularly like the politics of Margaret Thatcher, but I did admire her ability to overcome the barriers that stood in her way. I did admire her ability to climb to the top of the political ladder and become the first (and only) female Prime Minister in the UK. I did admire the self efficacy and self belief that enabled her to maintain her iron like grip on the principles over which she was indeed immovable.
Iron sharpens iron if we will allow it.
My heartfelt commiserations go out to Margaret Thatcher's family, and I only hope that some of her iron resolve can be made manifest in my own leadership and in yours and in the principles that reflect my highest hopes and aspirations as well as those that reflect yours.
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