Leadership Lessons From Nelson Mandela and Stephen Covey

UPDATE: My heart is saddened by the passing of Nelson Mandela on December 5, 2013. He was 95. The life he lived will continue to be an inspiration to me and millions of people.

In the world of exceptional leaders it’s been a week of joy and sorrow.

On the sad side of things, Dr. Stephen Covey passed away on Monday, July 16, 2012. Covey was an educator, best-selling author, motivational speaker, and businessman. His book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is one of the most influential personal development and business books of all-time. Twenty-five million copies have been sold in 38 different languages!

Since I first read it, Habit 5 is one of the fundamental principles of my communication style: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

On the happier side of things, Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and former President of South Africa, is celebrating his 94th birthday today (7/18/12). I always thought I had a lot of determination and grit until I read Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom. I remember thinking to myself, “Al Duncan, you need to step up your game.”

Of course, neither Mandela nor Covey are without flaws and that’s what makes them great. Both epitomize many of the characteristics of exceptional leaders. Here are two of the numerous leadership lessons that can be learned from studying their works.

The Higher Education Bubble

One of the things that drives me bonkers is when young people say that they are headed off to college, but they haven’t really given much thought to the most cost effective way to get an education. This video and infographic outlines the perils that could await you unless the proper planning is done.

The Higher Education Bubble » (EducationNews.org) An infographic series on the current crisis facing higher education.

7 Online Soft Skills Quizzes

Where do you stand on your soft skills? If you are not sure, here are 7 quick and easy quizzes about a few of your soft skills.

Q & A: What Are Your Weaknesses?

Q: Al, I really enjoyed ur speech at the 4-H conference. u are funny! How do u answer the question “what are ur weaknesses?” when u r in an interview? —student at 4-H conference 

Student Loan Changes for 2012 – US News and World Report

Great news…student loan rate stays at 3.4 percent. (It was supposed to go up to 6.8 percent.)

Student Loan Changes for 2012 – US News and World Report

The Young and Exceptional™: The 25 Most Powerful and Influential Young People

Youth Service America has created a list of 25 young people (ages 5 – 25) around the world who have made significant, large-scale change in five categories – Health, Education, Human Service, Human Rights, and the Environment.

The 25 Most Powerful and Influential Young People

Student Loan Calculator – CNNMoney

It’s April. Students heading to college in the fall will begin receiving their financial aid offers this month. For most students, loans will be a part of their financial aid packages.

Do you want to know how much it will cost you per month to pay off your student loan? Here’s a cool calculator I found that will help you out.

Student Loan Calculator – CNNMoney