WEF founder, Prof Schwab, breaks down good traits of a leader using Nelson Mandela

Earlier today, many Global Shapers in Africa had the pleasure of sitting down with Professor Klaus Martin Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum. He himself has really championed this Global Shapers community, a community of young people with demonstrated potential and excellence who are committed to changing and shaping the state of the world. I wanted to share a few soundbites from the session. For me, the biggest was his 'raving' about Nelson Mandela.

I asked him a question about "how he would compare the youth of today to the youth of decades past" since the World Economic Forum has been existence more than 40 years. In answering the question, he went into stories of how WEF was involved in the birth of a new South Africa. He mentioned how he invited Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and De Klerk to Geneva when Madiba was released from prison and forged conversations and relationships around trust, and reconciliation. He ended up saying that no leader has impressed him as much as Nelson Mandela. I would really love to meet Madiba in person. He's quite frail now but he keeps on going. Easily the greatest leader we have known.

Prof Schwab did answer my question, partly though. More importantly, he shared about youth of today are more sophisticated, with a wide range of knowledge. Credit that to technology and internet. Here's what else we learnt today

African global shapers mtg with Prof Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum #WEF. He's telling us a story. #shapeafrica #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

In a session with @rapelangrabana@omojuwa @nancysumari @abocco listening to Dr. Klaus Martin Schwab #WEF #GlobalShapers #CapeTown
— EskadoBird(@EskadoBird) May 8, 2013

Out of 228 Global Shaper Hubs worldwide, there are 59 in Africa. That's more than 25%. Ably positively represented. #shapeafrica #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

When first WEF meetings were happening in Africa, the issues were about politics & macroeconomic. Now, they are more inclusive. #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Important to tackle low-hanging fruits & gain quick wins. Demonstrate & achieve and use to build credibility. #shapeafrica #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Via Prof Klaus Schwab of World Economic Forum: it's importantto have entrepreneurship in the global and public interest. #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Howto build sustainable organization like World Economic Forum? 1 word. "Consistency". In goals, values, intellectual integrity. #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Of all the people #WEF founder Prof Schwab has met over the last 42 years, Nelson Mandela impressed him the most. Madiba! #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Prof Schwab then talked about the 4 traits of good leaders, something that he said Madiba has demonstrated very well.

Good leader traits via Prof Schwab: Soul: fundamental values & a vision to go with it. Have a built-in direction. Visionaries.#wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Good leader traits via Prof Schwab: Heart: Do what you passionate about, you'll succeed. You should be into it. #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Good leader traits via Prof Schwab: Brains: you must be a professional. What do you know? Skills, ability to build & create. #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Good leader traits via Prof Schwab: Nerve: Having the guts to get things done. Being bullish almost.:-) #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Last soundbites from Prof Schwab: direction to improve state of the world, shared passion, state of education & knowledge. #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013