The last word at the hour of death

On April 05, 2010, in Leadership and attitude, by Neculai Fantanaru

Open your own way to performance and success, not removing yourself from the values that your leadership potential builds upon.

February 8, 1587, Fotheringhay Castle. Mary Stuart walks slowly, peacefully, armed with the three weapons of faith: a golden crucifix which she carries around her neck, the gemmy rosary at her girdle and an ivory cross which she holds firmly in her hand, into the large hall where the execution, her own execution, will take place. She will be submitted to a sore trial in this very day. Nothing can save her now; nothing can get her back on the throne. She is no longer hallowed, loved, or admired, she no longer has friends; she can no longer hang not even to a thread of hope.

God bears witness that she is completely innocent. However, she cannot object under any circumstance, she cannot change the judges' conviction, she cannot call anybody to her help, and she cannot do anything else. Who could approve her when everybody is against her, when everybody hates her guts, and would be happy not to see her queen anymore? Who could love her after losing two kingdoms, after stepping the black path of murder, burying two spouses, and after, because of a merciless lover of no principles, count Bothwell, the only man she ever loved and who she enthusiastically followed to the bitter end, bloody battles were fought and so many people died? Furthermore, who could do her justice where there is none, but just a boundless desire for power and control?

However, until the last moment, she cherished her royal majesty. In front of the scaffold, before dropping to her knees, before the priest finished his preach, Mary Stuart kissed the crucifix, made the sign of the cross and said her last words: “Into thy hands, O, Lord, I commend my spirit, as I stand here, on this cross, and spare my sins. Amen.” Then, she kneeled down; the axe fell down with all its weight and force and, with it, perished the breath of the one who was queen since 6 days old. Finally, Mary Stuart no longer matters, she is forgotten…

A too noble, but weak heart

All leaders think on a large scale, fly high and approach their goals with great courage and tenacity. With the vision they have and which, for that matter, breath into everyone around them, they plan step by step, with a pretty large sense of responsibility, the course specific for the actions they will carry on. Even so, fortunately or not, and history abundantly proves it, as well, only those who are aggressive, competitive, controlled by a formidable ambition and animated by the desire of always being on the top of the pyramid of power will be able to dominate the political scene of a country until the last moment. Only the wishes unyielding in difficult circumstances, with strong leading tendencies, governed by the desire of supremacy, will manage to fight against any plot or betrayal, and, valorously and continually fighting, will manage to win any battle and keep their position on the top of the pyramid.

Mary Stuart had the power, being honored with the title of queen right from the first days of her life, but she lacked the essential qualities of a strong leader: courage, carefulness, resolution and an iron will - that develops over time, but she undoubtedly lacked that unmeasured urge specific to tenacious, arduous and unyielding leaders, who know to impose their will and interests, and who act without having to think too much. Moreover, she departed herself from the values ​​and builds potential value of a good leader: integrity, solidarity, justice, morality and sense of duty.

Charm, beauty and elegance have brought the queen only a brief moment of glory, she knew how to draw people's attention with her gracefully and womanly appearances, but she did not know how to control “the ball on her own court”, though, for a long time, she had truly devoted and wise councilors. Moreover, countless times, from many parts, she received clear signals and she was given precious advice, all in her support, for so she could direct her steps into the right direction. However, her mistake was that she always tried to build her future figuring that, being the queen, she was entitled to everything and she would be safe for any kind of trouble. And this, slowly led her to the scaffold, to perdition. Whoever bets everything on one number has more chances to lose than to win.

Leader or puppet?

The most effective leader is the one intelligent enough to surround himself with valuable people, a team of professionals he can always rely on, especially in difficult moments, that would provide important information and support optimal, so keep it away from any would be harmful in any way the image or career, so there are not "get caught" or worse, never to be trampled.

A leader who thinks he can succeed to achieve his goals with nothing more than puppets around him makes a bitter mistake. A puppet is only fitted for other people's use, she never dares, not give proof that the creative impulse, which can prompt it to act from its own initiative. It needs to subordinate, to serve, being manipulated at the same time. It can be on the winner's side, but never, under any circumstance, can be a winner by itself.

Although Mary Stuart was a queen, she was a terrific puppet in the hands of the cunning count of Bothwell, her concubine, who had greater interests than she could have ever imagined. In fact, all the problems of the queen arose because of this Don Juan, this never-failing seducer, having the formidable ability to discover human weaknesses; that, invaded by a single desire, motivate by a single purpose – that of seizing the power - pushed her to commit the greatest crimes. Furthermore, Mary Stuart, dominated by that special feeling which only the people chained by one love; a never failing love, which urges to be fulfilled, completely devoted herself to him, she gave in to him with all her being, serving him with a vivid loyalty, with devotion and passion, until the last moment.

Even so, love without reason takes people into the wrong direction. Just like any other tragic love story, both, husband and wife (as yes, they got married), had a terrible end: first, him, then, her, by their sins, as a punishment to all the murders and crimes they committed.

Both the puppeteer and the puppet finally shared the same grim destiny: a quick, but horrifying death, and only one thing warmed their souls in that last moment, one thought, a last word: “Amen”.