Beyond the Cigars and Bow Ties: Churchill, The Modern Statesman

Outspoken. Dogmatic. Diplomatic. Proud. Historically haunted. Future focused. Excessive drinker. Prodigious smoker. Leader.

These are a few of the adjectives that come to mind when describing the one and only, Winston Churchill.

Sir Winston Leonard Churchill was born on November 30, 1874 in Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England, located 60 miles northwest of London. In retrospect, even Churchill’s childhood pointed to his future as a great statesman - but not in the way one might think. Born to an English Lord and an American beauty Churchill had all the privileges that would lend toward success. Yet, his childhood was not a happy one. For most of it Churchill lacked attention from his parents and was primarily raised by his nurse, Mrs. Everest.

The key to his success was that despite this adversity, he persevered.

Statesman Character Lesson #1 - Persevere through the difficult seasons.

Unfortunately, young Churchill did not excel academically, which caused his father to enter him into an army career. Although it took Churchill three attempts to pass the entrance examination into the Royal Military College, he did not give up, eventually gaining admittance and graduating in the top 15% of his class. During his time in the army Churchill employed a reading regimen to make up for his previous academic deficiencies. As a result of his determination, he was able to leave the army and enter the world of politics.

Statesman Character Lesson #2 - Learn. As Churchill himself said, “The empires of the future are the empires of the mind.”

Winston Churchill excelled in the political arena. As with other obstacles in his life, Churchill overcame a speech impediment by becoming a master of the set speech, which famously he was painstakingly meticulous in crafting. Additionally, despite his unabashed arrogance, Winston Churchill utilized his inherent boyish charm to gain allies and work with opposition. In other words, Churchill learned how to adapt to his circumstances in order to be successful.

Statesman Character Lesson #3 - Be well-spoken. Through learning and patience, develop your voice to speak truth and bring clarity.

Winston Churchill was not perfect in his decision-making. During World War I and the following decade Churchill acquired a reputation for arbitrary judgment. As a result, Churchill’s warnings regarding Adolf Hitler were continually ignored. When Neville Chamberlain resigned as Prime Minister in 1940, Churchill led the British government from 1940 to 1945. During this time, through force of will, an optimistic but realistic perspective, and eloquence, Churchill brought Great Britain through World War II and the horror of the Battle of Britain. His communication skills rallied the British to victory.

Statesman Character Lesson #4 - Self-awareness. Know yourself so you’re not swayed by what others think they know of you.

Ironically, despite these political achievements, Churchill's government was not re-elected. In

the face of this he did not falter. He continued to be a voice of warning to the West about Communist expansion. In 1951, he led his Conservative Party back into power and was Prime Minister until 1955 when poor health forced him to resign. Ever the writer, for his The Second World War he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. Additionally, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Finally, in 1963, just two years before his death, Winston Churchill was made an honorary citizen of the United States. Sir Winston Churchill died on January 24, 1965 in London having achieved status as one of the greatest individuals of the 20th century. Not bad for a child ignored throughout his childhood, who failed an entrance examination into college twice, and had a speech impediment.

What is your opinion on Winston Churchill?