“The Walking Dead” is one of the highest-rating shows on television, and for good reason. Aside from the gory zombie kills, the series gives a peek into the lives of a group of people who are trying to make it through the zombie apocalypse. On even the grimmest days, one person will rise up and show stunning leadership abilities that everyone in the real world can learn from.
The group’s leader, Rick (Andrew Lincoln), has proven that he has what it takes to lead his people as he makes difficult decisions in the midst of all the chaos. But other people have also displayed some admirable leadership qualities, especially during the recent episodes.
Here are five leadership lessons we can all learn from “The Walking Dead.”
Even during difficult times, you’ve got to buckle down and take action when the going gets tough.
In a recent episode, Maggie Rhee (Lauren Cohan) was still grieving the death of her husband, Glenn (Steven Yeun) and is in the midst of a difficult pregnancy. But that didn’t stop her from saving The Hilltop from a zombie attack. Though she was clearly not in the best emotional or physical state to battle zombies, Maggie did not hesitate as she jumped into a tractor and used it to mow down the walkers. Afterward, the people of The Hilltop began to recognize her as a force to be reckoned with.
In real life, leaders also go through adversities and challenges in their personal lives. But those who know that they are responsible for the careers and well-being of their employees choose to rise above it all and take action when the going gets tough.
Sometimes, you have to make difficult decisions.
3BugMedia cites one of the most heart-breaking scenes in the series as a true show of leadership on Rick’s part. It can be recalled that back in season 2 of “The Walking Dead,” Rick shot Sophia (Madison Lintz) after the group found out that she has become a walker. Since Rick knew that there was no way to reverse her condition, he chose to end her suffering by putting a bullet through her head.
Leaders are oftentimes called upon to make difficult decisions, which could be challenging as the choices that they make will affect the entire company. But good leaders would often make the decision instead of passing it on to someone else, and trust that they made the right choice.
It's alright to recognize the fact that you’re not always right.
In the season 7 midseason finale of “The Walking Dead,” Rick and the entire group gathered at The Hilltop, and Maggie greeted Rick with a hug. Later, he told her that she was right from the beginning—they have to get ready to fight the Saviors.
Leaders who humbly admit that they’ve made the wrong decisions are not weak—they simply recognize that they’ve made the wrong choice and are open to correcting it.
Good leaders don’t stand back and boss their people around.
When something needs to get done, Rick doesn’t just sit around and tell the group to do it themselves. As seen in previous episodes, Rick always makes sure to be at the frontline of the most dangerous missions, and he makes sure that everyone makes it home in one piece.
True leaders are not averse to working with their people to get the job done. Bosses stay on the sidelines and tell their people what to do from there.
For more, read Jobs & Hire’s list of the best “Game of Thrones” female characters who would make the best bosses in the real world.
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