What Can We Learn From Putin And Zelensky About Leadership?

As a leader, what do you stand for? Do you know your values? Does everyone around you know your values? Do you have the courage to lead as your authentic self? Ideally, you can answer all these questions with a resounding, “Yes, I do!” But, if you can’t, then now is the time to make a change — get to know yourself better, understand your values and decide how you want to lead and what you want to be known for.

As we’re observing the war unfold in Eastern Europe and how much of the media coverage is fixated on Russian and Ukrainian leadership at the helms, I’ve been reflecting on the cause and effect of differing traits in positions of power.

Open, Curious, and Build Trust

Leaders, whether of a country or a company, need to be open and curious. You must be open to people of different backgrounds and ideas, you want them on your team, and you need their perspective. Ask for their input and feedback, as the diversity of thought and experience drives innovation. When you allow many voices into the conversation, you’re empowering others to participate in creating a better outcome, reaching further with a common goal, and reflecting the best of everyone’s talents and insights.

Putin’s approach to wielding power is to reject any opposition, refuse differing opinions, and curate a false reality of praise and approval around him. Generals are unwilling to disagree with Putin and share the actual military situation with him. Being open and curious requires trust between you and your team members, people who have your back and give you honest feedback when asked…which, it is painfully apparent, Putin is lacking. Why? Fear. He’s built fear and intimidation into his regime to undermine anyone else’s ability to challenge him.

Courage

Living and leading courageously means having conviction, doing the right thing, and making choices for the better of others over yourself. Right now, Ukraine has a courageous leader, Zelensky. He is the underdog, lacking in leadership experience as he’s a former actor and comedian; however, he is the David to Putin’s Goliath. Really, the guy has become a modern-day hero! He is showing Ukraine and the world what courage looks like, through his principles and earnest defense of his country. Zelensky has not fled to a neighboring NATO country — No, instead he is giving inspiring speeches from Ukraine’s capital city, building pride in his countrymen, and encouraging everyday people with no military experience to stand up to the Russian army. Zelensky is proving he has the ability to build courage in others.

How does this apply to you?

Looking through the lens of these events unfolding, while tied up in myriad complex historical and political issues, has also revealed a starkly clear example of antithetical leaders. Here’s the key takeaway: Being open and curious to new ideas and feedback from your team allows you to be your best and make the most strategic decisions. Having the courage to stand for something can, in the eyes of your team, build a sense of pride that allows them to do remarkable things. Representing the best interest of the people you are working for and with, is the core responsibility of a good leader.

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