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On ne naît pas leader, on le devient ! | Elisabeth Moréno | TEDxMontmartre
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On ne naît pas leader, on le devient ! | Elisabeth Moréno | TEDxMontmartre

Nobel Peace Prize and Leadership

Introduction to the Nobel Peace Prize

  • The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious awards globally, recognizing individuals who elevate humanity rather than those who seek power or wealth.

Malala Yousafzai: A Symbol of Leadership

  • Malala Yousafzai, born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan, became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating girls' right to education amidst Taliban oppression.
  • At just 14 years old, she survived an assassination attempt that aimed to silence her voice but instead amplified her message worldwide. She received the Nobel Prize three years later in Oslo.

Redefining Leadership

  • Traditional definitions of leadership often focus on political or social influence; however, they fail to encompass ethical considerations and true impact.
  • Malala's story illustrates that leadership transcends titles and positions; it can emerge from a simple dream and a strong voice without formal authority or recognition.

Types of Leadership

  • There are various forms of leadership: some govern nations while others awaken consciousness; some operate within institutions while others manifest quietly yet significantly in daily life.

Notable Leaders Beyond Conventional Recognition

  • Historical figures like Nelson Mandela and Steve Jobs are often celebrated as leaders; however, figures such as Mother Teresa and Dr. Mukwege also made profound impacts without seeking power or fame. Their contributions highlight that true leadership is about commitment rather than status.

The Dual Nature of Leadership

Constructive vs Destructive Leadership

  • Leadership possesses a dual nature—it can build communities or lead to destruction depending on the leader's ethics and intentions (e.g., Lincoln vs Hitler). This highlights the importance of moral integrity in leadership roles.

Ethical Considerations in Leadership

  • The discussion emphasizes that authority does not equate to ethical behavior; many leaders misuse their influence through fear tactics rather than genuine inspiration. A leader’s conscience is crucial for positive societal impact.

Personal Journey into Leadership

Embracing Unexpected Roles

  • The speaker shares her personal journey into leadership—one marked by challenges and learning experiences that shaped her understanding of what it means to lead effectively despite lacking traditional qualifications or preparation for such roles. She learned about leadership through various life experiences including family dynamics and exile situations.

Taking Charge of One's Destiny

  • Through adversity, she discovered her capacity for leadership—a force that emerged from necessity rather than choice—and ultimately embraced this role with confidence after overcoming initial doubts about her capabilities.

Leadership and Resilience: A Personal Journey

The Roots of Leadership

  • The speaker reflects on their origins from a drought-stricken archipelago, emphasizing that immigration was not a choice but a necessity for hope.
  • They highlight the values instilled by their parents—dignity, resilience, and duty—over societal accolades or recognition.
  • Leadership is learned through everyday sacrifices rather than formal education; it’s about standing firm during challenges.
  • True leadership involves vision, meaning-making, and nurturing individuals within a team rather than unilateral decision-making.

A Call to Public Service

  • During the COVID pandemic in South Africa, the speaker receives an unexpected call from the French government offering them a role in public service.
  • This moment triggers reflections on personal history and the silent sacrifices made by their immigrant parents.
  • The speaker realizes that leadership is not defined by titles but by moments when one feels least prepared yet must make significant decisions.

The Nature of Power

  • Leadership at scale comes with challenges; it requires grappling with what to do with power responsibly.
  • Power itself is neutral; its impact depends on the intentions behind it.
  • Society often glorifies conquerors over builders, valuing charisma over consciousness and strength over wisdom.

Consequences of Misguided Leadership

  • The speaker critiques how modern governance has become overly mechanical, likening it to managing an Excel spreadsheet without vision or connection.
  • This approach has led to fractured societies and disillusioned youth who feel disconnected from meaningful leadership.

Redefining Success in Leadership

  • Historical lessons show that tyrants fade while civilizations endure through empathetic leaders who prioritize responsibility.
  • There’s an urgent need to redefine success—not as domination but as uplifting others and improving lives.
  • Future leadership should be relational, demanding, and restorative—honoring those who act justly without seeking recognition.

The Essence of True Change

The Beginning of Real Change

  • The speaker emphasizes that true change does not begin with seizing power but rather when individuals take responsibility for their part in the process.
  • It is highlighted that each person must contribute their share of responsibility, audacity, and humanity to foster meaningful change.

The Dual Forces Needed in a Chaotic World

  • The speaker believes that leadership and love are two essential forces required to navigate the chaos of the world.
  • Leadership is described as illuminating the path forward, while love provides purpose and meaning to actions taken.

The Balance Between Leadership and Love

  • A cautionary note is made about leadership without love potentially leading to domination, indicating a need for balance between authority and compassion.
  • Conversely, love devoid of courage is merely an emotion, suggesting that action must accompany feelings for them to be impactful.

A Provocative Question

  • The speaker concludes with a thought-provoking question directed at the audience, which invites introspection but does not require an immediate answer.
Video description

Élisabeth Moreno partage une vision du leadership profondément humaine et à contre-courant des modèles dominants. Pas de culte du chef. Pas de mythe du leader “né comme ça”. Pas de posture. Son message central : le leadership ne commence pas par le pouvoir, mais par le courage d’agir. L’audace n’est pas un trait de caractère réservé à quelques-uns. C’est un choix. Un choix répété. Un choix parfois inconfortable. Un choix qui se construit dans la vraie vie : quand on ose parler, quand on protège quelqu’un, quand on refuse l’injustice, quand on tranche sans certitude, quand on assume une décision difficile. Pour Élisabeth Moreno, être leader, c’est prendre des responsabilités humaines : assumer ses valeurs, tenir un cap, créer des opportunités, et avoir un impact positif autour de soi - dans une équipe, une entreprise, une institution, une famille ou une communauté. Elle défend un leadership inclusif et exigeant, où chacun, quel que soit son parcours, peut devenir acteur du changement. Sa conviction : on ne naît pas leader. On le devient. Élisabeth Moreno shares a deeply human vision of leadership that goes against the grain of dominant models. No cult of the leader. No myth of the “born leader.” No posturing. Her central message: leadership does not begin with power, but with the courage to act. Audacity is not a character trait reserved for a select few. It is a choice. A repeated choice. A choice that is sometimes uncomfortable. A choice that is made in real life: when we dare to speak up, when we protect someone, when we refuse injustice, when we make a decision without certainty, when we take responsibility for a difficult decision. For Élisabeth Moreno, being a leader means taking on human responsibilities: standing by your values, staying the course, creating opportunities, and having a positive impact on those around you, in a team, a company, an institution, a family, or a community. She advocates for inclusive and demanding leadership, where everyone, regardless of their background, can become an agent of change. Her conviction: You're not born a leader, you become one! Élisabeth Moreno est une leader engagée, au parcours inspirant, à la croisée du monde de l’entreprise, du numérique et de l’action publique. Ancienne ministre déléguée à l’Égalité entre les femmes et les hommes, à la Diversité et à l’Égalité des chances, elle s’est imposée comme une voix forte en faveur de l’inclusion, de la justice sociale et du leadership responsable. Issue du monde de l’entreprise et forte d’une carrière internationale dans les technologies, elle défend aujourd’hui une vision du progrès où performance économique et impact sociétal vont de pair. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx