Can you lay your career for your team? On Remembrance Day, we honour the courageous men and women who have given their lives in service to our nations and communities. Their sacrifices have not only shaped the world we live in today but have also left us with profound lessons on duty, resilience, and leadership. As we reflect on their contributions, we can draw powerful insights that, when applied, can help cultivate strategic leaders who achieve stated goals and leave lasting legacies.
1. Duty and Commitment to a Higher Cause
Our fallen heroes were driven by a profound sense of duty that transcended personal interests. This commitment to a higher cause is a cornerstone of effective, strategic leadership. Strategic leaders, like these heroes, root their actions in purpose beyond self-gain. Whether in business, government, or communities, leaders who are genuinely committed to a mission create alignment within their teams, inspire trust, and foster a culture of loyalty. Legacy is born when leaders prioritize values and purpose, reminding us that success is not solely defined by personal achievements but also, by contributions to something greater.
Application for Strategic Leaders: Leaders must channel this level of dedication and commitment, aligning their efforts with a vision that transcends personal ambition. Strategic leaders create a legacy by building a purpose-driven culture where team members understand the “why” behind their work. When people feel connected to a meaningful mission, they’re more resilient and motivated, leading to higher engagement and loyalty. Leaders who prioritize mission over ego foster a culture of accountability, where each individual feels their role is essential to the organization’s greater success.
“True leadership begins where personal ambition ends, and the call to serve a higher purpose begins.”
2. Resilience Under Pressure
The sacrifices of our veterans teach us the importance of resilience. During times of war and crisis, our veterans faced unimaginable challenges, yet they persevered, guided by their unwavering resolve. They pushed forward despite immense adversity and thus tested their physical and mental endurance. Strategic leaders today can draw inspiration from this resilience, learning to adapt to difficulties and setbacks with grace. In our fast-changing world, resilience is a key differentiator; it enables leaders to overcome adversity, reassess strategies, and emerge stronger. Resilient leaders inspire others by demonstrating that obstacles are not roadblocks but stepping stones to growth and innovation.
Application for Strategic Leaders: In the fast-paced business world, resilience becomes essential. Strategic leaders today face pressures from volatile markets, economic challenges, and technological disruption. They must adapt quickly and persist through setbacks, showing their teams that challenges can be overcome. Resilience in a leader inspires trust and steadies the organization during turbulence. It also encourages a growth mindset among team members, showing that adversity can be an opportunity for learning and growth. Leaders who model resilience set a tone that emboldens their people to push through challenges, cultivating a legacy of fortitude and adaptability.
“Resilience is not about surviving the storm; it’s about using its strength to fuel the journey forward.”
3. Sacrifice and Selflessness
The act of putting others before oneself is a rare and noble trait exemplified by those we honour on Remembrance Day. Their greatest acts of courage often involve sacrifices made for others. Heroes who risked or even lost their lives did so not for personal gain, but out of a selfless dedication to protect others and betterment of the world.
In leadership, this selflessness translates into a focus on empowering and elevating others. Strategic leaders are those who lift up their teams, share credit, and seek opportunities to develop those around them. Sacrifice and selflessness in leadership lead to stronger, more cohesive teams. Leaders who adopt this principle create environments where individuals feel valued, driven, and inspired to contribute their best, establishing a legacy rooted in collective success.
Application for Strategic Leaders: True strategic leaders are selfless. They lift others up, empower their teams, and focus on creating value for all stakeholders, not just themselves.
Charles Igwe, Vice President of Programs, PMI’s Ottawa Valley chapter in his speech at the just concluded #PMEvolve2024 noted: “My chapter president Thomas Doyle III, CD, PMP®, LSSBB, CPE, Prosci ADKAR® gave me the stage to shine in the chapter”. Interestingly, Thomas – who embodies the great traits being written on today – is from the military and he exemplifies them by the way he leads the PMI Ottawa Valley chapter. I saw this firsthand!
For leaders, this could mean passing up opportunities to shine individually to give their team members the spotlight or making tough decisions that will benefit the organization over their personal agenda. Leaders who embody selflessness build trust and loyalty, cultivating an environment where individuals work together toward a common goal. Such leaders leave a legacy not just of success, but of inspiration, as their selflessness becomes a model for future leaders.
“A leader’s true worth is measured not by what they gain, but by what they are willing to give.”
4. Courage to Make Difficult Decisions
Our fallen heroes exemplified the courage required to make tough decisions in uncertain and often dangerous situations. They chose bravery over comfort, understanding the weight of their actions on the greater outcome. In leadership, courage is equally vital. Strategic leaders must often navigate ambiguity and make decisions that impact not only the organization but also the people they lead. Embracing courage means being willing to make unpopular decisions when they align with the greater vision. Courageous leaders challenge the status quo, lead transformative change, and make sacrifices to drive their vision forward, solidifying a legacy of courage and integrity.
Application for Strategic Leaders: Leaders must exhibit this same level of courage, especially when faced with decisions that may not be popular but are necessary. Courage in leadership goes beyond taking risks; it means standing firm in values, choosing integrity over expediency, and speaking up for what is right. For strategic leaders, this could mean pivoting a business direction to remain competitive, championing an innovation that challenges the norm, or making personnel decisions that benefit the long-term goals of the organization. Courageous leaders foster a legacy of authenticity and strength, showing that true leadership requires a willingness to face hard truths and act with conviction.
“Courage in leadership is not found in ease but in the strength to choose the path less traveled, knowing it’s the right one.”
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5. Unity and Collective Strength
In times of war and crisis, unity becomes the strength that overcomes the impossible. Our heroes knew that by working together, they could accomplish feats far greater than any individual effort could achieve. For strategic leaders, fostering unity within a team or organization is paramount. By building a culture of collaboration and shared purpose, leaders can harness the collective strength needed to realize ambitious goals. Unity cultivates loyalty and a shared sense of responsibility that reinforces the organization’s legacy for years to come.
Application for Strategic Leaders: Strategic leaders understand that no success is achieved in isolation. Building unity within a team or organization is essential for achieving long-term goals. Leaders must prioritize collaboration, ensuring everyone feels included and valued. This unity fosters a culture of collective accountability and shared achievement. Leaders who embrace unity create strong bonds within their teams, reducing turnover, and building a foundation for enduring success. These leaders leave behind a legacy where people work not just for the organization but for each other, creating a truly cohesive and resilient culture.
I want to celebrate the collective strength of people who have supported me, fueled my drive and I continue to learn from Lee R. Lambert Gerald Franze Pierre Le Manh Desiree Underwood-Williams, MBA, PMP, CLSSBB, Dr. Saadi Adra Charles Igwe Ricardo Viana Vargas, Ph.D. Al Zeitoun Saby Waraich 🟣 Lenka Pincot PMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-PBA Candida Tocci B.A., PMP Badr Burshaid بدر بورشيد Sunil Prashara Khatereh Ramouzi Ryan Foland ⛵️🏝️😎 Terry Schmidt, Strategy Execution Planner Charles Igwe Vincenzo Aliberti Deb Crossman vincent Maymo
“Great achievements are never born from individual strength but from the unity of many.”
6. Adaptability and Strategic Confluence
Our heroes operated in dynamic, sometimes often hostile environments where adaptability was absolutely crucial. They learned to pivot strategies on the fly, using whatever resources were at hand to achieve their objectives. Similarly, strategic leaders today need to be agile, blending diverse perspectives and skill sets—a concept I term strategic confluence. By merging various insights and adapting to change, leaders can drive innovation, stay relevant, and consistently achieve results. Adaptable leaders leave a legacy of innovation and continuous growth, demonstrating the power of strategic foresight.
Application for Strategic Leaders: Adaptability is a critical trait for leaders today. Leaders must be nimble and open to change, blending various perspectives and skill sets—a practice I call strategic confluence. This ability to pivot and incorporate diverse ideas is key to staying relevant in a world where disruption is the norm. Strategic leaders who embrace adaptability leave a legacy of innovation and responsiveness. By setting an example, they encourage a culture where creativity is valued, and new approaches are welcomed, ensuring the organization remains resilient and competitive over time.
“Adaptable leaders are like rivers; they may change course but never lose their direction.”
7. Enduring Values and Legacy-Building
At the heart of Remembrance Day is the reminder that our heroes left behind not just memories but values that endure—honor, sacrifice, courage, and duty. True leaders are those who prioritize building a legacy that aligns with these values. Legacy is about the impact that outlives our tenure or title, an impact shaped by consistent, value-driven decisions. Strategic leaders can honor our fallen heroes by leading with integrity, prioritizing long-term value over short-term gain, and cultivating teams that uphold these enduring principles.
Application for Strategic Leaders: To build a legacy, leaders must root their actions in enduring values. When leaders prioritize integrity, transparency, and accountability, they create a foundation that endures beyond their tenure. Values-driven leadership is more than an ethical choice; it’s a strategic one, creating trust and loyalty among teams and stakeholders. Legacy is not just about achievements—it’s about the values that guided those achievements. Leaders who make decisions grounded in strong values leave behind a legacy of respect, integrity, and trustworthiness, setting the tone for future leaders to follow.
“Legacy is not what you leave behind, but what you build in the hearts and minds of those who carry it forward.”
How Should These Lessons be Integrated into Leadership?
The sacrifices of our heroes teach us that leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility. As strategic leaders, we must not only drive results but also nurture the qualities that allow us to build a lasting impact. Each leader should endeavour to:
- Create a Values-Driven Culture: Leaders should define and consistently reinforce values that reflect the ethos of their organization and team. This clarity provides a moral compass for decision-making, encouraging individuals to act with integrity even when no one is watching.
- Develop a Resilient Mindset: Incorporating resilience training into professional development can help team members embrace challenges rather than shy away from them. By fostering resilience, leaders prepare their teams to face future obstacles with courage and confidence.
- Champion Selfless Leadership: Encourage team members to support each other’s growth. Leaders can set an example by showing empathy, acknowledging contributions, and offering mentorship to emerging leaders, thus creating a culture of mutual respect and support.
- Encourage Courageous Decisions: Cultivate a safe environment where taking calculated risks is encouraged. Leaders should reward innovation and celebrate those who are willing to step out of their comfort zones for the sake of improvement and growth.
- Foster Unity Through Collaboration: Promote cross-functional projects and open communication to build a culture of collaboration. Leaders should break down silos within their organizations, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
- Cultivate Adaptability and Innovation: Leaders should create systems that encourage flexibility and innovation, empowering their teams to think creatively and adapt to change. Embracing diversity of thought helps the organization stay agile in the face of an evolving marketplace.
- Focus on Legacy, Not Just Success: Success is fleeting, but legacy endures. Leaders should consider how their actions and decisions today will impact the organization and its people in the future, striving to create a positive, lasting impact that will carry forward.
Honour Our Heroes – Create Strategic Leaders with a Legacy Mindset
As we observe Remembrance Day, let us not only remember our fallen heroes but also honour their legacy by embodying their values. By integrating these lessons into our leadership practices, we ensure that their sacrifices continue to inspire a generation of strategic leaders who lead with purpose, resilience, unity, courage, and integrity. In this way, we not only remember our heroes but become leaders who create legacies that stand the test of time.
Remembrance Day is not only a day of reflection but also a call to action for leaders to embody the qualities we admire in our heroes. Strategic leaders who seek to leave a legacy must internalize these lessons and lead by example, shaping organizations and communities that stand the test of time. As we remember those who gave everything, let us also commit to building a future where our actions, guided by their legacy, create strategic leaders capable of driving lasting change.
In honouring our heroes, we honour a leadership model grounded in purpose, resilience, unity, courage, and selflessness—traits that define both a strategic leader and a legacy that will endure for generations.
Can you lay your career for your team? I asked myself this question daily to solidify my mission to “elevate one and empower millions with strategic capabilities to own their future and fuel the global economy.
Join me on this transformative experience and tag a leader who exemplifies these qualities and has inspired – and continues to inspire – you.
About the Author
🎙️Fola F. Alabi is a distinguished thought leader, EdTech innovator, and authority in strategic leadership and project management. A lifelong student of leadership, technology, strategy, and project excellence, Fola is committed to refining and elevating project management into a strategic discipline and a core pillar of corporate strategy, pivotal for organizational value acceleration and peak performance. Known as “the Einstein of Strategic Leadership,” Fola unifies strategy and project management, embodying the role of THE Strategic Project Leader™️.
For the past two decades, Fola has dedicated her career to researching, teaching, and consulting. She has helped organizations, leaders, and their teams close value leaks, execute the right projects the right way and cultivate strategic project leaders. Through compelling keynotes, transformative training, advisory services, and dynamic workshops, Fola focuses on strategic “conscious” leadership and “strategic intelligence”—the essential quotient for future-ready project professionals and business leaders aiming to impact ROI, earn beyond six figures, chart a path to the C-suite, and live the life they crave.
Fola delves deeper into increasing profitability and sustainable growth as part of her current Doctorate research, class of 2026, leveraging strategic intelligence and capabilities to make project management a catalyst. Fola’s insights are creating a global impact and empowering professionals to achieve the success they desire.
As we navigate the future of project management, project managers must evolve into strategic project leaders.
Remember, leaders like you shape the future—start today. Think big! Be Strategic!
Next Steps
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Remember, leaders like you shape the future—start today. Think big! Be Strategic!
