By Richard Stengel
Richard Stengel spent around 3 years with Mandela, while writing Mandela’s autobiography. This book is a collection of humble notes by the author on Mandela, one of the greatest believers of the human society.
This book aims at bringing lessons to people on life, love and courage, as the title suggests. It comprises of 15 lessons or principles that are mostly Mandela’s beliefs, as well as practices his life advocates. Let me give a quick outline of the lessons, in other words, the contents of the book. I don’t want to give a summary of the book; I wish to make this book appealing so you would pick it as your next read. So, I have explained briefly the first 5 lessons the book preaches followed by the 10 lessons and my favourite lines from them.
1. Courage is not the absence of fear
What if I tell you Mandela also had fear? From the serene face of his, and the colourful shirts we see him in, finding a place for fear seems like an absurd idea. But it seems, he had fear and the courage wasn’t showing the absence of fear, instead showed the way to set heart amidst the fear.
However, the problems test you, never fail to be brave, at least act to be brave and you will be.
2. Be Measured
In simple terms, be aware of your emotions. Decisions are meant to be practical, clouding them with emotions is the most easily made mistake. In Mandela’s words, “Don’t hurry, think, analyse, then act”.
3. Lead from the Front
As we all know, Mandela was in prison for 27 years for protesting against the Apartheid government. It’s no wonder, he is the most revered leader. To lead for a cause, he believes in and serve as a hope for the numerous followers who believed his cause, leading from the front is crucial.
4. Lead from the Back
To celebrate the victory you struggled for, you deserve more than anything in this world, spreading the joy and owing everyone for the achievement sufficiently explains what leading from the back means.
5. Look the Part
“Appearances are deceptive” is the proverb. But, to be fair, we rarely come across a person who doesn’t walk by without judging us and vice versa. We can’t help but wonder what the person must be earning or where he/she/they must come from just by looking at their clothing. Mandela considers this as most important quality to be judged. We can’t help but look at them, so why not take time to make them good. As per his words, “Appearance constitute reality”. So, next time, you shop reluctantly for clothes, remember Mandela judges you and knows you by what you wear and so does, every human on the planet.
6. Have a core Principle
When conditions change, you must change your strategy and your mind. That’s no indecisiveness, that’s pragmatism.
7. See the good in others
No man is evil at heart. Evil is something instilled in or taught to men by circumstances, their environment, or their upbringing. It is not innate. Apartheid made men evil; evil did not create apartheid. By behaving honorably, even to people who may not deserve it, you can influence them to behave more honorably than they otherwise would.
8. Know your enemy
The Afrikaner was very direct, very straightforward, not wily or sly. He could be sympathetic or not, but he was going to tell you what was on his mind.
9. Keep your Rivals Close
10. Know when to say no
11. It’s a Long Game
Every person is the sum of all that he or she has done
12. Love makes the Difference
When you love a woman, you don’t see her faults. The love is everything. You don’t pay attention to the things others may find wrong with her. You just love her.
13. Quitting is Leading Too
14. It’s always both
15. Find your own garden
This book has a magical narration, to walk along with the author, as he learns these lessons from Mandela, with life stories. If you are person, who loves story-telling, life lessons and of course, Mandela, you shouldn’t miss it.
A small book, easy read, I would recommend this to every person out there to read it once.
Rating: 4/5
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