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

His candor, wit, and faith in uplifting others helped guide England from the darkest shadows of World War II to victory over Nazi Germany.

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. “No one knew if the British Empire would be able to hold out for another week.”

Despite the grim prospect of the Nazis running over France, Belgium and Holland. 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 Energy 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 been just 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 “an address 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 delivered 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 take on my task with optimism and hope I am sure that our cause will not be allowed to fail.” (Winston Churchill, The Second World War, Volume II, His Finest Hour)

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 percolate and breed pessimism.”

The plan: “The royal family and top members of the government would be evacuated to Canada. Churchill roundly 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 victory would be achieved.

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

“Churchill not only saw reason for hope and confidence in the darkest days of World War II, but he was able to infuse his unique combination 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 the inner strength that people often don’t know they possess.”

Churchill empowered others to be their best selves!

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

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

On January 24, 1965, Churchill died. “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 in civilization. His actions were instrumental in shaping the world we live in today.

“He knew that if he could unite the minds, spirits and hearts of the British people, they would eventually be victorious. Churchill not only saved Britain from defeat, but now, in retrospect, he saved democracy as a form of government in the world”. Here was truly a single 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 lessons on leadership 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.