The nation is in mourning. A fundamental pillar of our social structure is no longer with us. Queen Elizabeth II has passed on. For seven decades, Britain’s longest reigning monarch has been at our side, through trials and tribulations, offering hope and encouragement where necessary and serving the nation in true dedication to the crown.
Queen Elizabeth II may be considered the modern-day version of a working mother. Her family and its nuanced developments would crop up in the media from time to time, while she unwaveringly continued to fulfil her duties by serving her country and pledging help to various corners of the world when they needed it most. Indeed, she broke with a 600-year-long tradition when she permitted the US national anthem The Star Spangled Banner to be played during the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As a leadership trait, this signalled a strong balance of embracing tradition while ensuring that we remained on the road to progress.
Looking back at the Queen’s life and her personification of leadership, it’s clear that many current and aspiring female leaders can draw inspiration from her, starting with demonstrating strength coupled with empathy. Perhaps one of the defining characteristics of a capable female leader is their ability to show strength and resilience in times of difficulties, while maintaining a sense of empathy to those around them. Queen Elizabeth II was the embodiment of this principle.
Another lesson we can glean from her long-standing domestic and international career is that of unwavering dedication to her cause. Be it providing hope in times of crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic or flood victims in Nepal, she never swayed or veered off course when it came to troubled times. She stayed on track and showed resilience while also proving that leadership is an act of service to others and not something one is in for in terms of personal gain. Therefore, she remained steadfast and driven by the motto “duty first”.
The Queen “never complained [and] never explained”. She had complete clarity about her role and gave her utmost best to it during every minute of her career. She lived by strong principles and values, which provided inspiration to millions of people around the world. At one point, there were over 50 million people under her stewardship in one form or another from all over the world, indicating a strong need for a clear sense of self and purpose. The Queen knew she was in the game for the long haul and never wavered in her commitment to her cause – whether domestic or international.
Furthermore, as a person who witnessed the creation of the first aeroplane, computer, the internet and other notable global inventions, she kept up with the times. Branding, and personal branding in particular, have been around as concepts and strategies only over our recent short history, yet the Queen adapted to these developments and created her own brand through her unique style. She was not afraid to take advice from those closest to her and she placed her trust in her advisors – whether in Public Relations or elsewhere. Finally, she knew how to balance work and play, making time for her horses, dogs and other hobbies.
With this in mind, she is the embodiment of a strong, competent and compassionate woman in a leadership role, and will serve as an example to millions of women around the world. With the United Nations promoting the goal of gender equality in the workplace and in business, we hope more women will be encouraged to pursue their dreams of becoming their own business owners and taking the plunge into an exciting world full of opportunities for them. With franchising offering such a great scope of support for those who feel that they are not ready to start out alone, it’s truly the best option at hand for women seeking to change the direction of their lives.
As a figure representing reconciliation and unity, Queen Elizabeth II will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Your Majesty.
