Royalty is a mindset. Leading is a responsibility.

Understand the mindset of integrity, so you can lead with purpose.

…my Coronation, is not the symbol of a power and a splendour that are gone but a declaration of our hopes for the future, and for the years I may, by God’s Grace and Mercy, be given to reign and serve you as your Queen. — Queen Elizabeth II

To have a royal mindset is summed up perfectly by the Queen Elizabeth II. To be a symbol and declaration of hope. The leader’s responsibility? To serve and provide that hope from their unique position.

Firstly, let’s divide the mindset from the responsibility and explain the two concepts separately.

Royalty has long been a symbol of leadership. Achieved via various methods throughout history; from dynasties who pass the responsibility through generations, to conquests and republics which form either Emperors or democratically installed leaders; the symbol of royalty has been a cherished one. But why?

Simply put, because of the power that comes from being a sovereign symbol of the practice of high virtues. In other words, you practice your values with integrity which is representative of those you lead. Those within your kingdom see you as a role-model, a provider, a teacher, a leader, whose character is impeccable. Those from outside your kingdom, view you through perspective only, as royalty is seen by many but known by few. It’s imperative that what is seen is not only inspirational but practically encourages others to aspire to be more than themselves. The most important phrase of integrity for any royal mindset is to know this statement, that what you do in the dark will come to light. Making sure that what is seen is intrinsically positive and not a facade, that it bears fruit and that others too, can attain such spiritual and mental wealth by living the principles of your path.

King James I highlights this in his ‘Basilikon Doron’ (Royal Gift), written for his son. He says;

“…he cannot be thought worthy to rule and command others, that cannot rule and subdue his own proper affections and unreasonable appetites…neither think it enough to abstain from evil, and do no good; nor think not that if ye do many good things, it may serve you for a cloak to mix evil turns therewith”

Here lies a royal’s duty to first, be ‘royal’ to themselves and develop a deeply integral royal mindset; then comes the duty to ensure that all the good that is done for those they serve, is free from potential internal corruption.

“A true King is not the one who has the most subjects but leads the most to royalty. A true leader is not the one who has the most followers, but the one who creates the most leaders”. — Neale Donald Walsch, ‘Conversations with God — Vol. 1’.

Walsh’s quote highlights the true purpose of royalty, to lead others to become authentic, genuine and valuable symbols of character, principles and virtues that bear spiritual and physical health. To create a legacy of high morality and service to the personal, physical and practical kingdoms we rule.

You must also know your role and master it. Not so that you may be an exper in knowledge, but so that you might understand how to best be of service to others. This is where learning and leadership come in.

John C. Maxwell believes that “leadership is influence”. What’s insightful is that it means that not only are we all leaders, but that we all have the ability to provide value to others. What that value comes down to mastering your purpose.

By mastering your purpose, you will understand your own gifts which are not for you but are to be given to others through service; who you can add value too, who you can influence, who you can lead. In ‘Mastery’, Robert Greene talks about discovering your ‘vocation’, ‘calling’, our ‘life’s task’, as something we all have to ‘inspire’ others. As a royal who masters their ability to provide value to others through service, you not only provide hope, but you also encourage and teach those you lead, how to develop hope and fulfil it with purpose, through desire and faith (belief in yourself).

Your ‘life’s task’ as a ‘Royal Shepherd’, is to discover your unique gifts and responsibility to guide and serve others, to develop others to lead and to leave the world better a better place. This is the primary duty of an imperial leader.

When all this is combined, what can we expect from our lives?

To sum it up, here’s how Moore and Gillette, describe the feeling of a royal in their fullness:

“We will feel our anxiety drop. We will feel centred and calm, and hear ourselves speak from an inner authority. We will have the capacity to care for others deeply and genuinely. We will “recognise” others; we will have a sense of being a centred participant in creating a more just, calm, and creative world. We will have a trans-personal devotion not only to our family, our friends, our companies, our causes, our religions but also to the world.” (King, Warrior, Magician, Lover)

Here are three things we can actively do, to begin our ascendancy to our very own spiritual and mental thrones of our own personal kingdoms:

1) List a minimum of 3–5 virtues/values that you live by (i.e — Honesty)
2) Discover and master your life’s call. Develop it and provide value to others.
3) Study the lives and extract the lessons and principles, of those who had royal mindsets before you; in relation to your purpose, vocation, skills or identity.

***Faith bonus — Study, practice and review after a month. “Proverbs 31” (1–12 for Kings, 10–31 for Queens)***

Resources:
Leaders Eat Last — Simon Sinek (YouTube Clip)
The Crown (Netflix)
Mastery — Robert Greene (Book)
Integrity — Dr Henry Cloud (Book)
The Queen — Eric Thomas (YouTube clip)