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Today we will talk about how emotional intelligence allowed Margaret Thatcher to become one of the prominent politicians of the 20th century.
Margaret Thatcher transformed the UK from a crisis state into the leaders of the world community. She headed the government of the empire for 11 years and became an example of a figure with a high level of self-control, a firm position, which won unconditional respect both in the circle of associates and in the face of motley opponents.
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher - Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1979-1990, the first woman at the head of the European state of the last century, carried out many reforms in politics and economics, and for her harsh, uncompromising and unconscious measures received the respectful nickname "Iron Lady" …
How was the little lady raised?
From an early age, Margaret learned to be aware of thoughts, emotions, actions. Although her family was strictly conservative, her father raised the girl with an unconventional approach - he cultivated in her more masculine qualities, such as detachment, firmness, confidence, desire to achieve, and most importantly, awakened in her the emotion of interest, which opened the way for the girl to knowledge the world of politics. It was in her that the father saw potential, while other girls were raised with an emphasis on softness, suppleness, preparing them for traditionally female roles - marriage, motherhood and keeping the hearth. Studying in schools for girls, Margaret was distinguished from others by her emotional stamina, invincibility of character and determination. The absence of boys (although if they were nearby, the result would have been the same) cemented her leadership role and made her even more familiar.
The father always taught his daughter not to succumb to momentary emotional outbursts, but to act deliberately, maybe even extraordinary (but by no means impulsively), make efforts and rely less on circumstances - to take the situation into his own hands and manage it herself. Margaret was a very diligent student, she read a lot and was inspired by politicians, constantly improved herself, empathically trying on images and discussing with her father many life vicissitudes of the main players in the political arena of the past and present.
The girl sacredly revered the traditional family way of life and the role models associated with it. So, along with the satisfaction of a purely male political and informational interest, she devoted some time to a more accepted female occupation in society - writing poetry. But instead of a manifestation of romantic sensuality, her poetry already read the ability for semantic immersion and verbal-meaningful balancing act, accompanied by an emotional background of calm and confidence.
The career of the young politician began with a strong desire to get into parliament, while Margaret was still working as a chemist in a large company. She joined the Conservative Party cell of her alma mater, Oxford University. And soon she ran for parliament in Dartford County.
A young, extraordinary and the only woman attracted more and more attention in political circles, purposefully moving to the top of power, and in 1979 she became the Prime Minister of Great Britain. The victory itself demanded from her great efforts of will, firmness of character, emotional stability. And success during her reign was ensured by her indestructible emotion of calm. It was these emotions, which over the years turned into sensual states of confidence, satisfaction, security, balance, acceptance, that allowed the woman politician to carry out consistent activities to stabilize the country's economic life, strengthen the borders and increase the military power of the empire.
Those who lingered in Margaret's office a little longer than the usual greeting said that she often said: "We will do this because it is right!"
Once at the hotel where she was staying with her husband, IRA terrorists detonated a powerful bomb. Eyewitnesses say that Margaret calmly, without unnecessary emotions, first made sure of her husband's safety, and then managed to take care of the hotel staff. Thus, the emotional maturity of this great woman has become a lifeline not only for the country, but also for her and her loved ones.
Thatcher always understood what she was doing, and always believed in herself, being the main person you can rely on. And the strength that she was always given by her own sharp mind and emotional intelligence was powerful and inexhaustible.
Margaret continued to calmly follow the chosen political course, even for ten months she was forced to try on the role of the Supreme Commander in the regime of real military operations. Emotional composure she needed during the unexpected invasion of Argentina in the Falkland Islands, which belong to Great Britain. But even this event did not take Thatcher by surprise: “I never expected the Argentines to attack the islands, it’s very stupid … I do not negotiate with thugs. The Falkland Islands are British and I want them back. " Firmly cutting off other options for decisions coming from her colleagues, Margaret immediately gave the order to the commander-in-chief of the army to start hostilities. She was reproached for being too risky, because waging a war, when the economy was already having hard times, was a challenge to the whole world. This undermined the budget, but she did not want to give the land under any pretext. And after 2 months the Falkland Islands were again under British control.
"I do not intend to back down on my mission to make our country prosperous, even with such drastic cost-cutting measures!.."
1984 year. The country was buzzing with demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience by miners. People, whose main source of life was mining labor, were now losing it, because the authorities began to reform the coal industry. Thatcher, mindful of the mistakes of her predecessors, was prepared for such confrontations, strategically taking care of coal reserves in case of protests in order to ensure the smooth operation of power plants. It was the largest labor protest in England, and for the head of government it was also symbolic in nature, because she considered the strikers "internal enemies", and the task of the Conservative Party was to strengthen the country by all means, not only outside, but also from within.
Thatcher was very strict and decisive in actions, guided by the emotion of enthusiasm, she did not seek compromises and did not allow half measures. The soldiers were disguised as police officers, in order to avoid unnecessary noise, the police themselves were ordered to be more energetic. They carried out mass arrests, although clashes often escalated into the death of people. Thatcher ended this page of British history by stopping the longest and most violent riot in the country.
These, as well as the huge number and variety of other events in the life of the Iron Lady, testify to the fact that she was exemplary in managing her emotions, words and deeds. The highest level of emotional intelligence helped her in a difficult leadership vocation, where it was always necessary to keep an eye out and be the mistress, first of all, for herself, and only then for the country and its leading role in the international arena. And Margaret Thatcher coped with her mission brilliantly.
