One of the best examples of success through optimism is Sir Winston Churchill.

His directness, wit, and faith in building others up helped him lead England from the darkest shadows of World War II to victory over Nazi Germany.

It’s not just my opinion, here are several others:

When Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of England, the German air force was “dropping plane after plane of bombs on England” at all hours of the day or night. “Nobody knew if the British Empire would be able to hold out for another week.”

Despite the grim prospect of the Nazis rushing over France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Joseph P. Kennedy, the American ambassador in London, “told Washington that Britain was finished.”

Cameron C. Taylor wrote: “In the midst of darkness and confusion and in the face of what seemed to others impossible odds, Churchill took office with optimism and determination.” (*8 Attributes of High Achievers by Cameron C. Taylor)

Churchill understood the force of optimism to lay the foundations for victory.

On the day he took office, Churchill wrote: “I felt as if I was walking with the destiny that my past life had only been a preparation for this hour for this test… and I was sure that I would not fail.”

The key to Churchill’s bravery “was his boundless optimism”. Optimists are courageous because they depend on the hope “that dangers and threats can be overcome.”

In 1910, Churchill said: “I am one of those who believe that the world is going to get better and better.” He “disapproved of negative thinking.” In 1916, in “a speech to his officers in the trenches in France, Churchill urged: ‘Laugh a little and teach your men to laugh… If you can’t smile, smile. If you can’t smile, stay out of the way until you can.'”

On May 13, 1940, Churchill made his first speech as Prime Minister to the House of Commons. He said, “You ask, what is our goal? I can answer with one word: Victory… victory despite all the terror, victory no matter how long and hard the road may be… with all the strength that God can give us… I assume my task with optimism and hope I am sure our cause will not be allowed to fail.” (Winston Churchill, World War II, Volume II, His Finest)

Just after becoming Prime Minister in 1940, Churchill “was informed of a doomsday plan to be implemented in the event of a full-scale German invasion of Britain.” He “would not allow contingency planning for failure, knowing that it would inevitably trickle down and breed pessimism.”

The plan: “The royal family and top members of the government would be evacuated to Canada. Churchill flatly vetoed the proposal, adding: ‘We will make them regret the day they tried to invade our island'” (Celia Sandys and Jonathan Littman, “no we will fail”)

Even in the worst of times, Churchill remained optimistic and confident that they would achieve victory.

During a BBC broadcast, Churchill proclaimed: “We are determined to destroy Hitler and all vestiges of the Nazi regime. From this, nothing will separate us.”nothing. We will never parley, we will never negotiate with Hitler or any of his gang. We will fight him on land, we will fight him by sea, we will fight him in the air, until, with God’s help, we have rid the earth of his shadow.”

“Churchill not only saw reasons for hope and confidence in the darkest days of World War II, but He was able to infuse his unique blend of stoicism and optimism into the backbone of the nation, the military, and his own personnel.”

Leo Amery, a minister in the Churchill government said: ‘Nobody leaves his cabinet without feeling like a brave man.’… Great leaders bring out inner strength that people often don’t know they possess.”

Churchill empowered others to be their best selves!

“Churchill’s determination to never relent and his optimism that victory would be achieved enabled his country to fight bravely and bravely through tremendous difficulties and also enlisted the support of other countries in the cause until victory was achieved.”

The free world owes a debt of gratitude to Prime Minister Winston Churchill. At the age of 66, he inspired, motivated and encouraged his people to fight. He was a leader with a positive attitude. in the face of adversity,

Churchill died on January 24, 1965. “More than 300,000 people passed by his casket and millions watched the funeral” on television paying “his final respects to the man who helped change the course of history.”

Churchill presided over one of the great and most dramatic turning points of civilization. His actions were instrumental in shaping the world we live in today.

“He knew that if he could unite the mind, spirit and heart of the British people, they would eventually emerge victorious. Churchill not only saved Britain from defeat, but now, in retrospect, saved democracy as a form of government in the world”. Here was truly one individual whose life made a profound difference to everyone on our planet.” Hyrum W. Smith, what matters most (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000).

What 3 Leadership Lessons Did Prime Minister Winston Churchill Teach?

1) Be optimistic and confident. “It brings out the inner strength of people.”

2) Churchill, ‘Laugh a little and teach your men to laugh’.

3) “If you can’t smile, smile. If you can’t smile, stay out of the way until you can.”

Churchill was a builder and lifter of people.