Cannabis Leaders: A Few Good (Wo)Men – Part 2
Last week, I wrote about 2 Generals whose traits and competencies made them terrific role models for cannabis leaders.
I was asked for an encore. Here it is.
If cannabis firms are going to make the leap to high performing enterprises, they would be wise to consider how militaries – organizations that learn the hard way what works and what doesn’t – cultivate great leaders.
Here are two more individuals worthy of serious consideration. This man and women are gold standards for purpose, audaciousness, mettle and inspiration.
1. Napoleon Bonaparte – The Little Corporal
His nickname had nothing to do with stature, rather it was a term of affection by his soldiers. No single leader put a bigger personal stamp on politics, military strategy and public policy than NB. This revolutionary commander/politician is one of the best examples of what one person can do, even when they were originally outsiders. NB was born in the backward island of Corsica in modest surroundings.
Among his many leadership innovations and policy reforms, NB was the first to: introduce national mobilization (earlier leaders relied on mercenaries or part time soldiers); insist on merit-based promotion (previously it was based on class) and; prioritize logistics within his army (his famous line, 'an army marches on its stomach').
On the battlefield, Napoleon pioneered/refined the ideas of divide & conquer, the use of mass formations to achieve an objective and rapidly outflanking your foes.
One would be hard pressed to find a more successful political-military combination, ever.
2. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher – The Iron Lady
After Argentina illegally seized the Falklands Islands in 1982, MT overcame a reluctant military & cabinet and rallied her people to recapture some windswept South Atlantic islands 8,000 miles away from London.
MT personified grit, toughness and instinctive leadership. She tapped into her nation’s ethos & pride, pushed her military for workarounds (they doubted the FI could be recaptured) and didn’t shy away from making the tough ‘life and death’ decisions (one of her colleagues quipped, ‘she had the biggest balls in cabinet’). And this ‘Grocers Daughter’ used her brains, will and charm to overcome not-so-hidden gender discrimination.
MT’s wisdom and instincts transcended the war. She was the first to recognize that Mikhail Gorbachev was a true reformer in the Soviet Union. Her support of him plus convincing Ronald Reagan of the same was one of the main catalysts for the fall of that totalitarian regime.
They aren’t cut like the Iron Lady anymore.
#military #leadership #Thatcher #generals #Napoleon