Churchill Leadership Trait: Self Belief

Winston Churchill was a man of incredible self-confidence. His self-belief was a key Churchill Leadership trait.

This was a belief not only in his own abilities but also in his destiny. During his early days at school he would confidently tell other boys that one day he would come to London's aid when the capital was under attack. Later, on his way into battle for the first time in 1897 he wrote his mother "I have faith in my star - that I am intended to do something in this world". Great leaders rarely lack self-belief and Churchill was no exception.

Supporting References

How strongly one holds a belief is dependent on the number and strength of supporting references one has to underpin it. Throughout his early life Churchill would have been influenced by people and events which would have added support to his growing self confidence. This would have come from his aristocratic upbringing, his schooling, his military training and his studies of his heroic ancestors and the British Empire. This would not have been unusual in Churchill's era: many upper-class British public-school educated boys from prestigious families would also have believed that the world and empire was going to be transformed and enriched by their lives. The only difference with Churchill was - his self belief was entirely justified! By the age of 26 Churchill, who had already written 5 books and been a participant in 3 wars, was told by gunnery expert Captain Percy Scott: "I feel certain that I shall some day shake hands with you as Prime Minister of England; you possess the 2 necessary qualifications, genious and plod. Combined, I believe nothing can keep them back." What effect this had on the young ambitious confident Churchill is unknown - but it won't have dimmed his self-belief.

Courage of his Convictions

Churchill's self belief as he grew older was based on his vast experience. He had learnt hard lessons and experienced many setbacks, yet on critical issues regarding nazi Germany he had been proved right. This track record afforded him even greater courage of his convictions. while not everyone agreed with everything he did, there really was no alternative leader to Churchill during the dark days of 1940. who could have done a better job? The answer is no one - and I am sure Churchill knew this. It is perhaps for this reason Churchill could still have an air of gravitas and authority wearing (as he liked to) a giant baby-grow (or romper suit or siren suit as they were called)!

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