Leadership lessons from the Queen: The role of Power, Influence, Love, and Faith

It’s sometimes better to say nothing…

At first, my plan was not to write anything here on the occasion of the Queen's death. Cheap and exploitative have been my concerns as I had walked past many shop windows that finally got around to hanging a photo of the Queen. I say 'finally' because many seem to be jumping on the carriage after the smattering of shops that did so immediately after her death, virtually the same day. In some cases, depending upon the version of the display, I could imagine the head office conversation: '...had no idea people cared so much, we better crack on with a display of some kind.'

No, I thought safer and more respectful ground would be to remain silent and otherwise reshare the occasional photo or post that expressed heartfelt sentiments well.

I also didn't want to fall into the redundant zone, sharing reflections that while sincere have been described countless times in the media.

Epiphany

So, I thought it best to wait for honest-to-goodness inspiration and insight if ever it came.

And, so it came.

We were discussing the Queen's reign and death during a Sunday roast with neighborhood friends. Our companions had spent most of their lives in the UK though not by birth. To non-Brits, you would have assumed they were Britons, born and bred, well-steeped in the vernacular, and with a well-honed accent. 

My wife and I have spent most of our lives in America but now call the UK home as dual citizens. Fast approaching is the day when we will have spent more time here than in the US.

While our friends were certainly fans, I think they were more than a little surprised at the strength of my feelings about the Queen, this moment, and the philosophical context that accompanied those feelings.

As was I.

I knew that this inevitable moment would be a big deal for our adopted country but I had no idea it would touch me as deeply. Though I had grown to appreciate her importance as a symbol and as a steadying social influence - all things that have been discussed ad nauseam - her significance and her role struck more squarely during the days that followed.

Her presence had crept into my consciousness in ways that I don't totally understand, a study in the power of subliminal forces. She had gone from quaint curiosity to anchoring force somewhere at the periphery of my consciousness.

I suppose a crude analogy would be one of those grand old buildings you've passed by, day after day, paying little attention until it was suddenly gone. The landscape changed irretrievably and for the first time, you realize how much it added to your sense of order and calm.

And, I must add, my reflections on loss come with great respect for those who have problems with the monarchy, both its history and its current privilege. To be fair, I have my own bouts of cognitive dissonance. But I will leave that discussion for another day and a different platform. 

The evolution of leadership, from power to influence

Here, I want to focus on the modern monarchy and the person who inhabited the throne - again, I am daunted by the challenge of summarizing that impact in a way that carries respect and reality. 

In addition to a very real sense of loss, it has caused me to reflect deeply on the difference between power and influence as well as the role of faith and love, and how they apply to business leaders in the 21st century. 

The Queen's evolution is one that underscores the difference between power and influence and in many ways is an analog for the evolution of modern leadership. 

Some definitions suggest that the two are interchangeable. But their connotations, especially as they are used in politics and business, are very different. In my way of thinking: power is the affirmation of influence and influence is the vehicle for power.

Power is a blunt instrument generally used to 'make' things happen, to make someone do what they might not otherwise do, or to add momentum to the current direction of travel. Influence, on the other hand, is more often used to suggest, encourage, or cajole, to apply often unseen pressure to create movement in the desired direction. 

Soft power

At first, like most not living in this country, I assumed that the monarchy was all pomp and circumstance, ‘The Firm’ as the name implies was at its core a money-making vehicle, a huge draw for foreign visitors. But perhaps more than any other sign, the tremendous outpouring of love and respect from this country and from around the world after her death, proved that there was so much more to the Queen, an unparalleled influence as an icon, symbol, and stabilizing cultural force. 

Her influence translated into faith in country and, in particular, all that is good about this country. Whereas in America there is allegiance to ideals represented by a flag and the constitution, here those core ideals are personified. When those ideals are personified by the right person - I underscore ‘the right person’ - there is the opportunity to create an even stronger cultural glue because of our human need to associate with or follow a living, breathing, person. 

Certainly, we have seen the fallout from tribal instincts run amok - you can pick your favorite despot.

Fortunately, the Queen was about as close to perfection as one can imagine in fulfilling the role of a statesperson remaining above politics.  

A unifying force

And it is when I look at the stark political and social division that exists in the US, I appreciate the constitutional monarchy to an even greater extent. To have a statesperson above political contretemps, a person who can act as a unifying force, brings powerful and immeasurable social benefits. The Queen served that purpose exceptionally well.  

While the Queen or King is meant to stay out of the political fray, the 'Royal Prerogative' has constitutional and practical power though the last time it was exercised in this country was in 1923 (there is a more recent example where the power was exerted in Australian politics).  

Living history

On the more practical side, I have reflected on the occasions of the Queen’s weekly audiences with the prime minister. I try to imagine the dynamics of these meetings. As far as we know, the Queen never directed or even suggested that the Prime Minister do anything in particular. She was famously inscrutable. She met with celebrated leaders and despots alike with, by all accounts, the same evenness of approach, never betraying her actual point of view.

Each of her prime ministers described how they had been ‘captivated’, that she exuded an aura, someone who was comfortable in her role while being a master of putting others at ease. 

I imagine having the opportunity to pick the brain of arguably the most experienced global leader the modern world has ever known. You would be seriously remiss - stupid in fact - not to take advantage of that knowledge. That combined with the theatre of these occasions, like being in the presence of living history at the rarest level. Oh, what her eyes had seen, what her ears had heard, and what her heart had felt. 

Though human she was clearly one-of-a-kind, all that training in stillness, gazing, and listening must have given her an unparalleled presence - dwarfing our conventional notions of 'executive presence'.

The power of questions

At the same time, I imagine what it would be like to ask the prime minister any question.  (One wonders whether King Charles asked Liz Truss: 'What were you thinking?!' brimming with centuries of Royal interrogative skill). I remind myself of the power of questions. 

I think back to questions asked by someone close, a parent, spouse, or friend: 'Why did you wear that shirt?' or 'Why are you spending so much time with [fill in the blank]?' Questions, well-conceived and adroitly pitched can be more powerful than the guillotine. Simple questions can lead to exhaustive introspection and analysis - we’ve all been there - which can sometimes lead to a complete volte-face. And then, the innocent follow-on question: ‘why did you change your shirt?’

Distributed power

Given competition, technology, and a famously fluid workforce, modern management must rely more heavily on soft power than was the case thirty years ago. As the 'Great Resignation' confirmed, people have options and they will walk. 

Moreover, modern businesses, successful ones, have proven that a collaborative approach works best where possible. How great is it when the team arrives at the best approach and executes it because they are truly vested in the decision?

Love and Faith

Last but not least, Queen Elizabeth demonstrated what a powerful force love is in leadership. Perhaps there is no greater power than the kind that springs from love. When there is a belief that we truly care then those Socratic questions, those bits of advice have more power to change the course of events.

And, of course, her love of country and of its citizens sprang from by all accounts a deep faith, her bedrock inspiration. This is not a call for more religion in business but it is an appreciation for the power of belief in something larger than oneself whether that is belief in a community, country, or supernatural power as a motivating and positive force. As my team has heard me say many times: ‘If the only thing you believe in is yourself then you’re rooting for a dying cause.’

Standing among the throng of mourners and those paying their respects during the week following her death, the sea of floral arrangements, and listening to her many tributes from so many British citizens, not to mention citizens of the world, was all the proof I needed to appreciate the essential elements of love and faith for lasting influence.

Ten leadership lessons I learned from the Queen

So, for those looking for my list of quick takeaways, here you go:

1. Work on building influence over power
2. Soft power is more sustainable and powerful than hard power
3. Don’t underestimate the power of questions
4. Master the art of stillness and silence
5. Listening is your superpower
6. Presence: don’t underestimate its power to influence the course of events
7. Resist the urge to instruct, focus on values and purpose
8. Love is the greatest route to lasting influence
9. Servant leadership is love in action
10. Leadership is an empty vessel without belief in a greater good