Churchill Leadership Trait: Integrity

Winston Churchill was a man of great integrity. For me this is a key Churchill Leadership Trait. He held strong unshakable moral values of what was right and wrong. He saw Britain as the defender of Freedom and Civilization.Churchill prosecuted the war on this basis.

Consistency

Churchill had spent years warning of the ever growing Nazi threat. For some time his warnings went unheard. He had to endure endure many accusations of being a "warmonger" and a "has been". Yet he stuck to his cause. He chose to continue fighting the nay-sayers and appeasers. Many others in his situation would have given up and retired to their country homes. Not Churchill. For him the Nazis were too evil and the threat too great to ignore. Eventually by strength of his character and the esculating circumstances he was listened to and ultimately called upon to kiss hands and lead the nation.

Experience

Churchill had been a Member of Parliament for nearly 40 years by the time he was made Prime Minister. For 25 years he had held high ministerial office in a wide range of departments. He had been in the government (twice) and served on the front line during the First World War. Before his time in politics he had served as a soldier and personally seen action on a number of occasions, including taking part in a full cavalary charge, capture and daring escape from a prisoner of war camp. The lessons he drew from this enormous experience were to prove vital.

Set an example

Winston had an incredible work ethic and was a perfectionist. He demanded much from those around him - but he demanded just the same extreme high standards from himself. Churchill is quoted as saying "Each night before I go to bed, I try myself by Court Martial to see if I have done something really effective during the day - I don't mean merely pawing the ground, anyone can go through the motions, but something really effective."

Trust, Honesty and Respect

The nation loved Winston. (Still does: in a recent BBC poll he was voted the Greatest Briton in history). Though born to the British aristocracy, Churchill was loved by all classes of the British population. Everyone saw that he gave 100% and was totally commited to the task. He meant it. He was also seen as being honest with the public (as best he could be during a war) - he wouldn't try to hide the desperate nature of events. This rallied rather than cowed the british and they trusted him and respected him greatly. Churchill was an emotional man and was never shy about showing those emotions. When visiting seens of destruction, it was common for tears to well up in his eyes. The public could see that they were genuine. And loved him for it.

Know your audience - let them know you

The people felt close to Churchill. He was a very visible and recognisible leader. His speeches of course touched everyone's heart. He was a natural communicator (if not orator) and could connect with everyone he met. Though of course, stage managed to a certain degree, Churchill appeared to his public to be an open book. What you see is what you get - everyone knew where they were with Churchill.

Commitment to a clear goal

There was never any apparent doubt with Churchill. It was to be "Victory at all costs" and the nation believed him - because he meant it. There is no hint that he even considered negotiating a peace settlement after the Dunkirk evacuation. Britain would "go on to the end", "if necessary alone". All other sub-goals or objectives were very much secondary to this easy to understand aim. Because of this there was total focus and direction. Where do you stand with winston? Right behind him, heading for Victory!

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