Under Margaret’s Management
Margaret Thatcher has been the subject of many books and movies
and for good reason. She is considered one of the great leaders in
British history. Her name is listed among the ranks of Queen
Elizabeth I, Benjamin Disraeli, and Winston Churchill. Thatcher had
very humble beginnings. Her father was a grocer, yet she became the
first woman to lead England in modern times. Thatcher rose to power
through the strength of her personality and by refusing to be pushed
around. She was feared, respected, and admired. So much so that she
was called the “Iron Lady” by her opponents. She even had a political philosophy named
after her – Thatcherism. The reasons for her success as a leader can be traced to several
qualities that defined her.
To start, Thatcher was principled and uncompromising. She believed in economic and
individual freedom. She advocated self-reliance and thriftiness. She viewed patriotism as a
key part of being a citizen. These are the principles that she believed in. Whenever she was
making a policy decision, it was always based upon these beliefs. For example, Thatcher
oversaw a period where the British government became much smaller, collected fewer
taxes, and provided fewer services to its citizens. She was also willing to fight for her
principles. She refused to compromise with the Soviet Union because their principles were
so opposed to hers. This is how she got the nickname “the Iron Lady” – she refused to bend
or break on her principles.
Similarly to her principled focus, Thatcher was also resolute and authoritarian. She knew
what she wanted to do and accepted no challenge to her authority. Once she started on a
path, she saw it through to the end. There are several examples of her strong-willed, strict
leadership style. For example, Thatcher imposed her personal authority over her political
party, called the Conservative Party. After she became the leader of her party, Thatcher
quickly centralized party power by firing all of her opponents. When coal miners went on
strike, she used the police to stop their demonstrations. Her resolve can be seen when she
said, “U-turn if you want to, the Lady’s not for turning.”
Thatcher may not have been such a successful leader if she was only uncompromising and
authoritarian. She was successful because she was also very charismatic. Thatcher came to
power during a time of British decline. The country had lost much of its former strength
and power. Thatcher, through her personal style, was able to inspire Britons to feel proud
of their country again. She represented many of the core characteristics that her citizens
admired. She was patriotic and self-reliant. She was confident in herself and willing to
speak her mind. She was hardworking and determined. For all of these reasons, when she
spoke, her people listened. She was respected by friend and foe alike. She won elections
on the strength of her personality.
We can often measure the success of a leader by the difficulties that they overcome.
Thatcher certainly had plenty. She was born into a lower-class family and yet she rose to
become one of the most powerful people in the world. She was a woman in a male
dominated profession and she emerged as one of the strongest politicians of her
generation. She came to power during a downturn in the history of England and helped it
return to its former strength. You can also measure a leader by what their opponents think
of them. In Thatcher’s case, you need to look no further than her nickname – “the Iron
Lady.” Her opponents quickly realized that she could not be broken. A final measure of a
leader is the legacy that they leave behind. For Thatcher, it is an enduring political
philosophy – “Thatcherism.”
Quoting Thatcher:
“I do not know anyone who
has got to the top without
hard work. That is the
recipe. It will not always get
you to the top, but should
get you pretty near.”
“You may have to fight a
battle more than once to win
it.”
“I'm extraordinarily patient
provided I get my own way
in the end.”
“You cannot lead from the
crowd.”
“Watch your thoughts for
they become words. Watch
your words for they become
actions. Watch your actions,
for they become habits.
Watch your habits for they
become your character.
Watch your character for it
becomes your destiny. What
we think we become.”
“It pays to know the enemy not least because at some
time you may have the
opportunity to turn him into a
friend.”