A guide to royal survival

And at the end of the day, if you do your best that’s more than enough. People will always criticise or undermine, sadly its peoples’ nature almost to begrudge successful people

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving consort of any British monarch, died on 9 April at age 99
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving consort of any British monarch, died on 9 April at age 99
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By Kevin-James Fenech

Kevin is the founder and owner of JOB Search - jobsearch.mt and FENCI Consulting fenci.eu.

This was the week when UK newspapers and media channels were inundated with coverage on Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Arguably, the most famous husband in the world. To my mind, he was an extraordinary man who most definitely led an extraordinary life.

Having lived in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s as a young student, and recently watched The Crown on Netflix, I have followed the royal coverage this week with particular interest. I came across a particular article penned by Piers Morgan, ‘Philip’s 10-point guide to royal survival’ which I must say should be obligatory reading for any leader especially those in business.

I find the 10 point guide, simple (not to be confused with simplistic), practical and highly relevant to all of us. Anyway, without further ado here is the list:

  • Park the ego;
  • Don’t whine;
  • Work hard;
  • Read;
  • Avoid scandal [controversy];
  • Stay off oprah [don’t talk about yourself];
  • Keep fit and do everything in moderation;
  • Stay grounded;
  • Just get on with it;

Do your best.

At first glance the list looks overly simplistic but it is actually pure genius.

CEOs or leaders in general, frequently make the mistake of thinking it’s all about them and as a consequence they court popularity. It is never about you but always about the position you hold.

Others have held the same position before you, just like others will hold the same position after you. Stay humble and never seek popularity. Focus on the job.

When you are the leader, meaning you earn more than your employees and have more privileges, resist the temptation to complain or seemingly feel sorry for yourself. Leadership means pressure, long working hours, sometimes unjustified attacks on you and unfair treatment but you have to take it on the chin and remain quiet since it comes with the turf.

Anyone who ever achieved anything will tell you it was always thanks to sheer hard work ! Yes you need talent, yes you need a bit of luck but always you need hard work. So work hard (always).

Never underestimate the importance of reading books. I know the younger generation don’t have the patience to read books in this digitally crazy multitasking world but reading is essential to any leader. Choose your books wisely but read abundantly, since it opens up your perspective, it educates you and it is food for your brain.

Now a days, scandal and controversy seem part and parcel of leadership. Yet it is still essential and highly beneficial to stay humble, low profile and avoid controversy with all your might. Controversy distracts and undermines even when you are right; so avoid it.

If you do an interview make sure it is never about you! An interview should always be about your organisation, your people and the mission. The minute you start talking about ‘Me, myself & I’, the ego inflates and mistakes are made.

Keep physically fit and strong. I can’t emphasise how important physical wellbeing is to you and your job. Healthy people equal healthy minds and happy moods which combined leads to the best version of yourself. If it were for me, I would have it in every contract of employment that leaders and employees in general train and keep fit. The scientific research about the benefits of physical exercise, especially in open air, are crystal clear in favour of physical exercise. No debate here, keep physically fit and strong.

No matter how high you go in your career always stay grounded. Good manners, respect everyone and stay humble. Big egos and self-inflated opinions about oneself will get you no where good. Humility and will are what make great leaders.

Sometimes, especially the younger generation, spend more time complaining or feeling sorry for themselves or seeking the help of a life time coach, counsellor or even therapist, when a bit of resilience and toughness will actually make them stronger and better equipped for future challenges. Leadership is after all a journey and we will all at sometime or another get a bloody nose, so the important thing is how we deal with it or how we cope. Experience has taught me, to just get on with it and focus on what I can or must do rather then dwelling too long on what happened or worse feeling sorry for myself.

Finally, and at the end of the day, if you do your best that’s more than enough. People will always criticise or undermine, sadly its peoples’ nature almost to begrudge successful people. So if you’ve done your best and have a clean conscious, ignore what the haters or armchair critics say.

Royal survival course courtesy of Prince Philip RIP.

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