Richard Stengel, after his interview with Nelson Mandela in July 2008, described the man that Mandela is in eight powerful lessons based off of his experiences with the man and the knowledge of what Mandela had to endure. His sixth lesson is “Appearances matter-and remember to smile,” which means that everybody needs to carry themselves with a certain amount of stoicism. Both the video and article talk about how Mandela never showed bitterness to the public even if he felt it strongly inside. His persistent smile was an icon of hope and perseverance. It is also noted how the people of South Africa were saying over and over how amazing it is that he did not come out as a bitter man. Mandela understood that a good appearance would pave the way for stronger influence and greater respect. This is a very relatable lesson and can be used very often.
I believe that this is one of the most important life lessons that ever body should have and understand. Hiding your true emotions and showing positive ones that ignite optimism in your peers is the best way to gain influence and respect. These elements in turn lead you to becoming a good leader that has a lot of support. I can relate to this lesson because certain circumstances call for me to conceal my emotions and present myself in a manner appropriate to the situation. Embracing a stoic outlook on a certain situation also brings hope to my friends if we are having problems. This is a valuable lesson and has many applications in life. This is evident on a daily basis when individuals do what is necessary for the greater good. Mandela’s calm and warming appearance against the face of oppression is one of the main reasons why apartheid ended.
