AZHAR ALI

17010069

GENGHIS KHAN
Leadership & Social Responsibility

Early Years:
Genghis was born around 1162 in the northern central part of
Mongolia. He was named Temujin originally after the capture of
the Tatar ruler by his father (Yesukhei). Temujin belonged to the
Borjigin tribe who had inherited the art of leading tribes from his
great grandfather, Khabul Khan. According to the folklores of the
Mongols, Temujin was born to lead because he had mole on the
palm of his hand. Much of his leadership qualities can also be
traced back to his mothers lessons regarding the living conditions
in the feudal Mongol society. His mother taught him the skills to
survive in those turbulent conditions that his tribe was going
through. Temujins father was poisoned by the Tatars therefore he
had to return to his village to take the chieftain position at the mere
age of nine. Temujin faced very odd situations during his early
childhood that developed in him the desire to lead an army that
later enabled him to avenge the blood of his father from the Tatar
clan. Hence, it was the brilliant leadership skills and war tactics of
the great Khan that enabled him to command an army of great
warriors and establish historys largest empire before the European
empire. History remembers Genghis as a very ruthless leader
having no mercy, which is true to an extent but it was the
circumstances that made him Gods Wrath, as he called himself.
Genghiss personality and style of leadership has great lessons to
learn from like all the other great leaders of this world. I will
highlight some leadership qualities of the great Genghis that I think
overlap with my personality traits and beliefs.
Leadership Traits:
1) Focus on the Goal:
The first lesson that I have learned from the personality of Genghis
Khan was that he always had this mindset of keeping his eyes and
focus on the ultimate goal that he wanted to achieve. He believed
in the notion that there is no honor in anything until it is finished.
This belief has always helped me and will help me in the future to
visualize the completion of my tasks and keep my focus at the task
that I perform.
2) Leading from the forefront:
Genghis always used to lead his army from the vanguard rather
than giving instructions like modern day bosses. Genghis was so
courageous that he stood steadfast at the frontlines of his army
which boosted the morale of his army. This leadership trait of
Genghis has taught me that when I will be leading a team in my
professional career I will have to lead them and drive them through
inspirational behavior rather than giving them instructions like a
boss. I will have to step into the field myself and inspire my

followers in such a manner that they follow my lead with courage

and determination.

Genghis Khans Leadership Qualities

the same mistake again in the future. I know that I have to

adjust according to changes otherwise I would not be able to
withstand the force of change.
7) Discipline:

3) Working for others:

Leaders like Genghis can be found to have a belief engrained in
them that they will never be happy until their followers are
happy. Genghis had a soft corner for his followers and despite
being ruthless towards his enemies he had a very equitable rule
in his empire and for his followers. Genghis was working for a
greater vision. He envisioned the world to be united because he
believed in unity. I have always believed that we have a greater
purpose in our lives rather than working at a nine to five job
and saving for our retirement to live peacefully. Like Genghis I
know that self-actualization can only be achieved by working
for a greater purpose and helping everyone around us.
4) Self-Reliance:
As mentioned above, Genghis had a very chaotic past which
developed in him this trait of being self-reliant and
independent. He always believed that there can be no truer
friend of a person than his own heart and consciousness. This
quality of his personality really appeals me that is why I have
always worked on my assignments and other projects on my
own and I have always expected the least of help from others. I
have always believed like Genghis that it is the unfulfilled
expectations from others that actually hurt our feelings. That is
why I do not expect others to do much for me because I have
the strength and will to undertake my responsibilities and
ensure that I fulfill them.
5) Humbleness:
Whenever I narrate Genghiss personality traits I face severe
criticism that he was the most ruthless man in history. Contrary
to this notion Genghis was also known for his humbleness
towards his clan. His humbleness sprout from his mothers
lessons regarding letting go of pride, which is the only reason
so many leaders have been seen to fail. I have known that if I
want to win over this world and people I have to become
softhearted and humble towards my followers.
6) Embrace Change:
Genghis had a personality that was very flexible and he knew
that change actually lead to his personal development. I have
also come to this conclusion that whenever we are faced with
tribulations and problems we come up solutions. In the end we
either overcome the problem or we learn a lesson of avoiding

Genghis was only able to conquer almost half of the world with
an army that was of immense strength and size. He instilled
such discipline in his troops that managing them at once
become very easy for him. Moreover, he made his troops go
through rigorous training which enabled them to shoot arrows
accurately while riding horses. Such discipline cannot be
witnessed in any army during his era. This leadership quality of
Genghis very much matches my own way of doing things. I
have always been known among my social circle for my
discipline and persistence. I have always been fascinated with
leading a very planned and disciplined life which has enabled
me to complete my assignments and projects before deadlines.
Moreover, besides assignments I want to live in a disciplined
manner and make my plans every night before I sleep. Doing
so enables me to time each task and plan my entire day
accordingly.
8) Adaptation & Learning:
Genghis was not only a great conqueror but he also had a
personality that was always open to new cultures and religions.
He was always open to learn from others regarding religion,
technology and other management practices. All leaders have a
desire to educate themselves and invest in themselves. This
self-education should never be stopped throughout our lives. I
have learned over the past that I can learn a lot from others and
that I have to adapt myself to the circumstances that I face. This
attitude of being open to learning experiences enables an
individual to grow and improve his/her skills every day.
9) Cultivate your strengths:
Genghis knew what he had to do and how to use the art of
archery while riding a horse. Through continuous practice and
perseverance he was able to master this art and also train his
troops at this art. This quality of his leadership has always been
a part of my beliefs. I have always believed in this notion that I
have to keep pushing my skills and my strengths to its limits in
order to excel at what I do.
Therefore, Genghis did not learned these skills through some
form of formal education but through his persistence and strong
will to change himself and the situation of his followers.
Genghiss tribe was plundered and was at the brink of

extinction but it was his strong will and determination of

achieving his vision that enabled him to unite his clan again.
The leadership traits of Genghis are now embraced by

everyone because after all he was the only leader who

developed and managed the greatest empires of this world.
After my extensive research I had much to learn from the

Great Khan in terms of being loyal to your people, to

understand their needs, to embrace change and most of all to
have an inspiring vision.