James Strock
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WSC, Personifying British Defiance (Karsh, 1941)
One layer [of Churchill’s character and personality] was certainly seventeenth century. The eighteenth century in him is obvious. There was the nineteenth century, and a large slice, of course, of the twentieth century; and another, curious layer which may possibly have been the twenty-first. –Clement Attlee
The anniversary of the birth of Sir Winston Churchill is a compelling occasion for reflection.
In a textbook case of projection, a preening popinjay, a BBC news personality called Paxman recently dismissed Churchill as a “ruthless egotist, a chancer, and a charlatan.”
Paxman and many others have speculated that Churchill could not be elected today.
These and other observations imply that Churchill’s leadership example is of limited value in our time. His life and work may provide anecdotes and entertainment, but little elucidation about things that matter.
This is surely wrong.
Winston Churchill’s storied, spectacular career holds numerous lessons for 21st century leaders.
Martin Seligman is recognized as the prime mover of the “positive psychology” movement. His latest book, Flourish, strives to evolve from “authentic happiness” to “well-being” theory.
Among the many excellent ideas in Flourish, one jumped out: Seligman’s “What-Went-Well Exercise (Also Called ‘Three Blessings’).”
Amid the tremendous challenges facing the United States at the moment, it’s useful to recall the origination of the now-familiar holiday. Abraham Lincoln established it in the dark hours of the Civil War.
Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney. ANZAC Day, 25 April 1930. Library of New South Wales
James Strock
