12 Ducere Est Servire: THE LEADERSHIP JOURNAL OF DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY Today is Trinity Sunday. Centuries ago, words were written to be a call and a spur to the faithful servants of Truth and Justice: “Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valour, and be in readiness for the conflict; for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar.”16 Churchill understood the need for divine intervention in the affairs of state and frequently spoke to the nation of faith in God’s protection. In a September 11, 1940, speech at the start of the Blitz, Churchill said, “It is with devout but sure confidence that I say: Let God defend the right.”17 In essence, he was echoing Henry’s call to his brave warriors at Harfleur. In both scenarios, the leaders believed they were “the right.” Like Henry’s call to his men (III.i.35), Churchill followed his spirit upon this charge. Peter Northouse refers to factors essential to be a transformational leader, and a key component is the ability to inspire others. Inspiration uses “symbols and emotional appeals to focus group members’ efforts to achieve more than they would in their own self-interest.”18 Both Henry and Churchill understood the need to inspire their followers into action. Good leaders know that inspiration is critical to the success of a mission involving large groups of people. Moving teams to accomplish a mission requires the ability to rally hearts, focus minds, and draw up mettle from within. Henry delivers several key inspirational speeches of varying potency, but the goal is to motivate his men to achieve more than any one of them could do alone. Churchill sought to inspire a nation in a multi-year world war. He undoubtedly knew that what he said and how he said it mattered to his leadership and the people’s belief in victory. As his principal private secretary, John Martin, stated, “He made his countrymen feel that they were playing a part on the great stage of history and that, whatever our immediate tribulations, this was indeed their ‘finest hour.’”19 Henry’s warriors likely shared the same sentiment toward their king.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODc4ODgx