3 Lessons The Queen Taught Us
Unless you’re living under a rock you know the world has been buzzing for the past several days reflecting on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. I love history, period dramas and more importantly real-life lessons. As I watched the funeral for her majesty the queen yesterday there were a few things that stood out.
Here’s what the queen’s life can teach us in business and in life.
1- Age doesn’t matter
Yup, this bit of wisdom was given to us by Ronnie Butler years ago and it’s still relevant today. The queen ascended to the throne at 25 years old after her father, King George VI died, relatively young. Queen Elizabeth is named among the top five youngest monarchs to ascend to the throne, but from day one she was a force to be reckoned with.
Her grace, strength, and wit in the face of changing political views, varying world standards and hardship in her country are all lessons we can learn from.
It does not matter how old you are or how old your business is, have the view that you are a heavyweight. Whether you ascended to this role at 25 or 73, you were literally born for this and you can do it.
2- Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself
Queen Elizabeth II is the third cousin of Nicholas Romanov II, princess Anastasia’s father, (yes the one from the movies). She no doubt grew up with stories of the horrible murder of the Romanov family and the threat changing political views posed on monarchies around the world.
When she came to power she needed to reinvent what it meant to be a royal. Royalty was something far removed from the ‘common person’. The queen’s response to this was to allow people into her home and life, first by a televised coronation, then through documentaries of her life on the BBC. She was the queen of the people, for the people. That legacy was on full display in the days following her death, with many speaking of her as though she was their older relative.
Just like the queen you may need to shift some procedures in your business. Don’t be afraid to get real with your customers on social media. Don’t hold back when connecting with your audience through emails. Find new ways to present (or reinvent) your business to the world.
3- Be consistent
As the longest reigning monarch, it must have been exhausting to have to constantly grow through the wildly changing landscapes of life, but she did it. The queen has been a constant in the lives of the residents in the UK and by extension the world.
Even though it may be difficult, show up and show out every chance you get. When your customers can see consistent excellence, that is when they will trust you with their business.
I hope these three reflections resonated with you.
What other lessons can we glean from the queen’s life? Respond to let me know.